As we have discussed in a previous article their is a need for spiritual authority in the Christian life. Every believer needs someone in their life to teach them scripture and keep their focus on the Lord. Sadly many who go down the right path by seeking spiritual authority do so based on superficial attributes. At the same time, we are currently living in the last days. When false prophets abound and when people only want to be told things that please their itching ears.
2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV)
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,
Christians must be wise and ensure that they have the proper spiritual authority speaking into their life. We cannot bring a man of God into our life based on their looks, family, style of clothing or preaching style, church size, or any other unbiblical meaningless factor. Nor should a Christian be looking for a preacher whose sermons align with their personal beliefs outside the scripture.
Any spiritual authority that you allow to speak into your life should be in that position because they preach the truth. Bringing the fullness of God’s word into your life. To help guide you through any situation you may bring to them. The only factors of their life that should be a concern to you are time spent in prayer, worship, study, and personal devotion to the Lord.
This means you will not always like everything they do or say. Especially when it comes to the discussion of some of life’s toughest subjects. That must be preached and used to guide the life of believers. Yet are hard for us to hear at times. Like 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 which speaks about various sinful lifestyles and where they lead.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
That passage of scripture is hard to hear but something the church needs to hear. If that message upsets you and causes you to feel bad about past actions do not be offended. Or even upset at the person presenting God’s word. Because that passage and many others just like it are designed by God to bring those very feelings about sin. Feelings of remorse and even shame are meant to lead to repentance. Just like they did when Paul first brought God’s word to the Corinthian church.
2 Corinthians 7:10–11 (ESV)
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.
If all you do is look for a spiritual leader who will pat you on the back and make you feel good. Telling you how great you already are and helping you to excuse sin that still runs rampant in your life. You will not find a man of God but the exact opposite.
Because all that fluff is never going to change a life. All it does is lull poor souls into complacency and a false sense of salvation. Those receiving this kind of teaching will never become the new creation God wants them to be. They never become the saved person who has truly turned away from sin and has received salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Because of this Christians must look for and identify the right factors in a spiritual leader’s life. Before they allow that person to begin speaking into their own life. Not by focusing on any external factors or by seeking a message that simply makes them feel good on the drive home. But by looking for someone who speaks truth and displays a proper spiritual life. But we must still be cautious when accepting a pastor, teacher, or elder as the spiritual leader in our life.
Sadly we cannot simply trust the words people use. Nor can we trust someone because they carry the title of pastor or even Christian in general. Just because someone has a following or resides over a church does not mean they are truly serving God. Or that they are completely adhering to the scripture in their messages.
You will not find the right spiritual leader adding to, removing from, or changing the word of God in any way. But the sad truth is there has been and still are many false teachers who do alter God’s word for their own gain. Corrupting the Gospel just as the Bible tells us they will. As it warns Christians to not immediately trust anyone who comes to them preaching the word.
2 Peter 2:1–2 (ESV)
1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.
To combat the multitudes of false teachers we must be sure to follow their teaching in scripture. All the main points of a sermon should align with the word of God. Anything that doesn’t should be brought to the speakers attention. So you can learn even more from their response. Using it to base weather or not you will allow them to still speak into your life.
This is not a new concept but one founded in the Bible. When the Apostle Paul brought the message of Christ to the Berean Jews they did not immediately believe his message. But took the time to test his words against the Word of God and found his message to be true. Which they are commended for doing.
Acts 17:11 (ESV)
11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
We must also always remember that even though someone proves themselves to be a good spiritual leader. That does not mean they will always be on the right track. Just as we see throughout the Bible when leaders would be on the right track one day and fall the next. This can and does happen with spiritual leaders today. So be sure to always check them against the scripture to be sure they are not leading you in the wrong direction. It is worth noting that after a fall a person can rise again and still be a great leader again. Just like King David did.
Please do not allow the concepts of false teachers or those who do not preach truth to keep you from accepting spiritual authority in your life. The Bible time and time again shows the importance of leadership in everyone’s life. God has always used certain people to lead and keep His people. That was the role of prophets, judges, kings, and the Apostles. Today this role is filled by pastors,teachers, and elders.
Every Christian needs one of these people in their personal life to help them on their journey through faith. Be wise and allow someone to speak into your life. Just be sure they are always pointing you in a godly biblical direction. It may not always be the direction you want to go but it is the only way to Heaven.
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