KEY SCRIPTURE 1Ti 3:2 KJV “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”

We continue with the qualifications of the pastor. This time, the scripture teaches he must be vigilant. This word ‘nephaleous’ in the Greek means to be temperate; to be in control of yourself, especially one who is not given to wine. A pastor, as a leader, leads by being a worthy example. He should not get into a condition where he would not be in control of himself. An example is when he comes under the influence of any substance such that he loses control of himself. Substances like alcohol, or any drug that can make him say and do things that do not reveal a man under the influence of the Spirit. To be temperate also means to be disciplined 1Co 9:25 KJV” And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we are incorruptible. Please note that every Christian is competing for a crown, an incorruptible crown of life. There are definitely rules and conditions that qualify one for that glorious crown. These conditions must be keenly contested so that the heavenly father would approve of his works.

In 1st Corinthians 9:27, he said,” But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” To be disciplined means bringing yourself under control. People are qualified to lead because they do what the multitude is not ready to do. They make sacrifices that the masses or the followers may not easily make. In effect, you lead by doubling your effort. It involves bringing yourself under the rules and regulations. A lazy man can be a great leader. Jesus’ disciples saw the master so disciplined in prayer such that they asked Him to teach them how to pray( Luke 11:1). One can only be an example to others through being disciplined.2Ti 3:10 KJV “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, “Apostle Paul could use his life as an example unto Timothy because he endured various trials that came his way. It takes discipline to endure adversity and come out as a Victor.

( Pls Read Judges 16) Samson was a man endowed with supernatural strength to take on multitudes of soldiers. He could kill a thousand men singlehandedly. In spite of his great strength, he died as a captive. This was all due to indiscipline. He could not control his appetite for women. He could not resist their demands, even if granting that could end his life. Delilah made a request for the secret of his strength. Each time he told her something, the Philistines came around to test if that was indeed his strength. All these showed that they were ready to kill him if they knew the secret of his strength. Samson could not restrain himself from keeping the secret. That which was to be a secret, he went ahead and let out the cat, and that was his end. The ability to maintain true discipline proceeds from a genuine fear of God. Every pastor must strive to have a genuine fear of God. This is what would keep you from acting against yourself. Indiscipline is acting to destroy yourself.

THOUGHT: DISCIPLINE CARRIES YOU AHEAD OF THE CROWD, AND ALSO PROTECTS YOU AND YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS


FURTHER STUDIES

1Pe 5:8 KJV$” Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”


2Pe 1:6 KJV” And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;”