by Pastor Joey Carroll
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law,” (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB). Every person that has truly been born again has been filled and sealed with the third person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. That was God’s promise in the old covenant, and He made good on that promise in the new covenant.
However, the Holy Spirit does not sit idly by in our hearts. He is active in producing Christ-likeness in us and accomplishing the will of God through us. One of the main evidences of His work in our lives is growth in self-control. The KJV translates the word “self-control” as “temperance.” We don’t use the word “temperance” very often, but it means to exercise restraint. Depending on the context, we might exercise restraint concerning our emotions, desires, or impulses. It is obvious to see why some translate the word as “self-control.”
Self-control is certainly something we should all want to exercise. We train our children to have self-control. It is not good when a child looses all self-control in public situations, and it is even worse when an adult does. But for Christians, it is something that the Spirit of God is working into our lives. To see it growing in your life should be encouraging because that is clear evidence of the Spirit’s work in you.
For the pastor, elder, or church leader, self-control is required for the office they hold. Paul gives us the qualifications for those men in his letter to Titus.“For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict,” (Titus 1:79, NASB).
That is certainly an intimidating list of characteristics, but they are God’s requirements a man must have to shepherd the church. However, it is not as though he will never live contrary to this list. Rather, these sins cannot be the consistent pattern of his life. When he sees attitudes or actions that contradict this list in his life, he must humble himself and repent. Church leaders need as much grace and forgiveness as any other member of God’s church. But pastors and elders are unquestionably responsible for Christlike character to be growing faithfully in their life.
Just this past year, a very well known presbyterian church removed their pastor citing that he had failed to meet the qualifications of his office. It was not a one time offense, but it was a pattern of behavior. That is certainly humbling for that pastor, but I wanted to applaud the faithfulness of the church. Way to go for obeying Scripture. Other churches have not been so faithful to God’s Word, and they have suffered for it by allowing unqualified men to hold that post.
Like so often before, the Apostle Paul applied these principles deeply to his personal life. “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified,” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NASB).
You have to love sports analogies from your pastor; it is your duty as a church member. But that last word is meant to stop you in your tracks – disqualified. We could argue all day as to what Paul means exactly, but let’s agree to this: to live in such a way as to bring discredit or shame upon our Lord or His gospel is something none of us should ever desire. Paul oriented everything from his personal life to his public life in an effort to advance the gospel, and not hinder its spread.
This article originally appeared in The Clarion Newspaper.
Corinth Baptist Church 