How can church leaders ensure their actions align with their teachings? The Weight of Matthew 23:3 “Therefore do whatever they tell you and observe it, but do not do what they do; for they do not practice what they preach.” (Matthew 23:3) Recognizing the Lord’s Standard • Jesus separates sound teaching from faulty living. • The command is two-fold: listen to words rooted in Moses’ seat, yet refuse to imitate hypocrisy. • Leaders must therefore strive for unity of doctrine and deed so hearers are not forced to make the same distinction. Practical Steps for Leaders Who Teach 1. Cultivate personal obedience before public instruction. • James 1:22 – “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” • Ezra 7:10 – Ezra “set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach.” Note the order: study, practice, teach. 2. Submit teaching plans to Scripture’s scrutiny. • Acts 17:11 – the Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were true.” Leaders should welcome that same examination. 3. Invite accountable relationships. • Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron.” • Hebrews 13:18 – “Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to live honorably in every way.” Publicly request prayer and correction. 4. Keep motives transparent. • 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5 – Paul reminds the church he had “no impurity, no pretext for greed.” Leaders should regularly disclose finances, schedules, and decision processes. 5. Model repentance as quickly as you model doctrine. • 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful.” • When failure is acknowledged openly, hypocrisy is disarmed and integrity restored. Guardrails Against Hypocrisy • Regular self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5). • Plural leadership where fellow elders mutually oversee conduct (Acts 20:28). • Fixed, public accountability reports (1 Timothy 4:15 – “…so that your progress will be evident to all”). • Strict separation from flattery or titles that breed pride (Matthew 23:8-10). • Consistent service to the “least of these,” keeping leadership tethered to humility (Matthew 25:40). How Congregations Can Help • Pray for leaders daily (1 Timothy 2:1-2). • Provide honest, loving feedback when actions drift from doctrine (Galatians 6:1). • Celebrate visible obedience, reinforcing what is commendable (Philippians 4:9). The Promised Outcome When leaders align life with teaching: • Their message carries spiritual authority (Titus 2:7-8). • The church’s witness gains credibility (Philippians 2:15-16). • God is glorified and His people are protected from stumbling (Jude 24-25). |
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