How can leaders avoid falling into "disgrace and the snare of the devil"? Holding Fast to 1 Timothy 3:7 “Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:7) The Weight of a Good Reputation • Proverbs 22:1 reminds us, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold.” • 2 Corinthians 8:21 presses the point: “We are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.” • A leader’s public witness either adorns or undermines the gospel. Consistent honesty, follow-through on promises, financial transparency, and gracious speech build the “good reputation with outsiders” that shields from disgrace. Grounding in the Gospel, Not in Image • Titus 1:6-8 sketches the inner life that sustains the outer reputation: “An elder must be blameless… hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.” • Reputation without inner reality collapses (Galatians 6:7). Daily repentance and fresh reliance on Christ guard against a hollow public persona. Vigilance Against the Devil’s Snares • 1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” • Common traps: – Pride in position (1 Corinthians 10:12) – Moral compromise (Proverbs 4:23) – Isolation from accountability (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) • James 4:7 gives the antidote: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Daily Armor and Spiritual Habits • Ephesians 6:10-11: “Be strong in the Lord… Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.” – Truth buckled tightly: no fudging facts or motives – Righteousness as breastplate: immediate confession when sin surfaces – Gospel readiness: willing to serve rather than be served – Faith as shield: promises rehearsed aloud when doubt whispers – Salvation’s helmet: identity rooted in Christ, not in ministry success – Word of God as sword: memorization and meditation (Psalm 119:11) – Prayer in the Spirit: continual dependence, not occasional ritual Practical Accountability Structures • Trusted peers who can ask hard questions about marriage, money, media, and mood • Regular, open financial review—nothing to hide, nothing to fear • Limited private access with the opposite sex; clear moral boundaries • Scheduled rest: fatigue makes every temptation louder Cultivating Humility and Service • Jesus washed feet; leaders bend low. Serve unseen—visit a hospital, stack chairs, write notes of thanks. • 1 Timothy 4:16: “Pay close attention to your life and your teaching.” Self-examination is ongoing, not annual. • Philippians 4:8—filling the mind with what is “true… honorable… right… pure” crowds out corrosive thoughts. Living the Long Obedience • Flee youthful passions (2 Timothy 2:22) and chase holiness with companions who love the Lord. • Expect spiritual attack, but remember the promise: “Resist the devil, and he will flee.” • Stay small in your own eyes, stay near to the Word, stay surrounded by the saints. In that path, disgrace and the devil’s snare find no foothold. |
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