KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 3:3 KJV Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

The pastor should not be a striker. The word striker has the following meanings: ready for a blow, contentious, or a quarrelsome person. Frankly, it would be very absurd to think of any man of God as a contentious  or quarrelsome person, yet we have sadly seen  certain pastors as very contentious  and extremely difficult people.

There are some men who used to be very contentious before they were born again. These people have unfortunately carried over their former shortcomings into their lives in Christ. This is an error. The apostle Peter was such a man  before he was saved. Joh 18:10 KJV” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.” After Peter’s conversion, he became extremely gentle and harmless. 1Pe 2:13 KJV” Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;” At this point, Peter had completely transformed. Your former lifestyle is now alien to your present personality. It says you are a new creation, old things have passed away, all things have become new, 2nd Corinthians 5:17

One area where a number of pastors may raise their fists against a second party is in marriage. Some wives have been so buttered that they have completely lost their self-confidence. Some pastors are not only contentious at home but also show it everywhere. At the least provocation, they get so offended to the point that they can become physical in their aggression. This is what the scripture says he must not do.

What then can make a  pastor so  contentious?
1.A lack of knowledge or a clear understanding  of the completely finished work on the cross of our Lord Jesus.
2 The next is pride. Pride has a way of making hurts very painful, such that one seeks to avenge their hurt in the second person.
3 Some have the tendency to be contentious or troublesome as a result of a demon that controls that aspect of their life. (Demons only take over the life of the child of God when he practices certain sins, like pornography.)

The first group, that is those who are simply bereft in their understanding of the finished work on the cross that has absolutely freed us from the nature of sin Rom 6:6, Col 2:11.The old man is no more but a new man who is the righteousness of God. 2nd Corinth 5:21.That new man is Christ( Gal 2:20) who is full of mercy, love and  kindness.You are not trying to become that man of gentle disposure , but that is what you are now. .Eph 4:24 KJV “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”  Christ is our life Col 3:4. From now know that every trace of violent disposition is completely alien to you.You are very gentle and peaceful.Accept this as a fact.Glory be to God.

THOUGHT:YOUR LIFE IS CHRIST, AND YOU CAN NOT BE A STRIKER, YOU ARE A GENTLE PERSONIFIED

FURTHER STUDIES

Passion bible translation Ephesians 4

[24] And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness.”

Colossians:3

[12] Love One Another. You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with the virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.