He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:6)
We’re nearing the end of our list of qualifications for being a pastor. And, like all that’s come before, this is essential for overseers of God’s church.
He must not be a recent convert…
If you were to read the original Greek, you’d only see two words here. “Me neophytos.” This means not new. Not a neophyte. Not a newbie. Not a plant that’s just sprung up. The KJV renders it “Not a novice.”
Sometimes, when a person comes to faith in Jesus, their initial zeal pops so brightly in contrast to the haggard Christians around them, that you can mistake it for a suitability to serve in pastoral leadership. But new Christians need time with Jesus before they’re ready to assume pastoral responsibility for anyone.
Why? Because recent converts make conceited pastors.
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit…
It takes time to develop enough spiritual maturity to start tipping toward humility rather than conceit.
For example, after a sermon, a pastor tends to receive affirmation from his flock. Church members will even praise bad sermons because they want to encourage their pastor, especially if their pastor is young and new to the pulpit.
An experienced Christian is more likely to redirect this praise to God where it belongs. A recent convert, however, is more likely to believe he is an exceptional preacher. Each week, he can suck up more of this helium until his pride floats away with him. He can soon become so puffed up that he is not only hindered in his ministry, but completely disqualified.
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.
The recent convert can fall into this trouble like an unsuspecting victim falls into the hands of robbers. He won’t be looking for it and he won’t see it coming. It will surprise him. He’ll be moving along in ministry, thinking everything is great, and then suddenly he’ll be on his back.
But what has he fallen into? The phrase “the condemnation of the devil” either means that the recent convert may fall into the same condemnation that the devil experienced or he may fall into a condemnation brought about by the devil. Either way, it’s bad.
We know that the devil was condemned and cast out because of his pride (Isaiah 14:12-15). In this sense, anytime our pride results in us being cut down to the ground and being laid low, it’s parallel to what happened to the devil.
After exhorting his fellow elders to shepherd God’s flock well, Peter wrote, “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5b).
Humble pastors minister with God’s grace upon them. Proud pastors minister with God’s opposition against them.
When you’re clothed with humility, you’re walking up the up escalator, propelled by God’s grace. When you’re puffed up with pride, you’re walking up the down escalator, straining against God’s opposition.
Paul did not want Timothy to appoint recent converts to the office of overseer. We must be careful here too. In our need for new pastors, we might be tempted to prematurely ordain new Christians. Instead, let’s be careful to give people time to mature in Christlike humility before putting them in a position to become puffed up with conceit.
This is also a good reminder to more seasoned pastors. Let’s continually ask God to reveal the pride pockets developing in our hearts. Let’s clothe ourselves in humility.
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Let's test those who wish to serve as deacons before throwing them in there. ”For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:10).