R³ Devotional - Day 352
R³ Devotional - Day 352 - 1 Timothy 3
By: Anderson Baptist Church
In 1 Timothy 3, Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers (elders) and deacons. While these look like a "job description" for church leaders, they contain a profound principle that applies to anyone seeking to live a life of influence and integrity.
Real Life Principle.
Character Over Charisma
Public influence must be rooted in private integrity. Paul focuses almost entirely on who the person is rather than what the person can do. Out of the many qualifications listed, only one is a skill ("able to teach"); the rest are matters of temperament, reputation, and self-control. This teaches us that our "outer world" (career, leadership, social status) will eventually crumble if it isn't supported by a solid "inner world" (character).
Relevant Applications.
1. The "Home Front" Test
Paul emphasizes that if someone cannot manage their own household, they cannot care for God’s church.
Your most important leadership role is within your own four walls. Integrity starts with how you treat your spouse, children, or roommates when no one else is watching.
2. Emotional Regulation
The text calls for leaders to be "temperate," "self-controlled," and "not violent but gentle." Maturity is defined by the gap between a provocation and your response. True strength is the ability to remain calm and gentle under pressure, rather than being "quarrelsome."
3. Financial and Social Sobriety
The passage warns against being a "lover of money" and insists on having a "good reputation with outsiders." How you handle resources and how people in the "secular" world (your neighbors or coworkers) view your honesty matters deeply. Your faith should make you the best employee or neighbor in the building.
Ready Action Steps
To move this from a list of rules to a lifestyle of growth, consider these three steps:
Real Life Principle.
Character Over Charisma
Public influence must be rooted in private integrity. Paul focuses almost entirely on who the person is rather than what the person can do. Out of the many qualifications listed, only one is a skill ("able to teach"); the rest are matters of temperament, reputation, and self-control. This teaches us that our "outer world" (career, leadership, social status) will eventually crumble if it isn't supported by a solid "inner world" (character).
Relevant Applications.
1. The "Home Front" Test
Paul emphasizes that if someone cannot manage their own household, they cannot care for God’s church.
Your most important leadership role is within your own four walls. Integrity starts with how you treat your spouse, children, or roommates when no one else is watching.
2. Emotional Regulation
The text calls for leaders to be "temperate," "self-controlled," and "not violent but gentle." Maturity is defined by the gap between a provocation and your response. True strength is the ability to remain calm and gentle under pressure, rather than being "quarrelsome."
3. Financial and Social Sobriety
The passage warns against being a "lover of money" and insists on having a "good reputation with outsiders." How you handle resources and how people in the "secular" world (your neighbors or coworkers) view your honesty matters deeply. Your faith should make you the best employee or neighbor in the building.
Ready Action Steps
To move this from a list of rules to a lifestyle of growth, consider these three steps:
- Conduct a "Character Audit": Read 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and replace the word "Overseer" or "Deacon" with your own name. Ask yourself: "Which of these qualities is currently my weakest link?" (e.g., Is it being "quick-tempered"? Or perhaps "greedy for gain"?)
- Seek External Feedback: Because Paul mentions having a "good reputation with outsiders," ask a trusted friend or mentor: "What is one area of my character that you think needs more consistency?" Be open to the answer without becoming defensive.
- Prioritize Small Wins at Home: Identify one way you can "manage your household" better this week. This could be as simple as being more present during dinner, handling a domestic conflict with gentleness, or being more disciplined with your personal schedule.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
R³ Devotional - Day 1R³ Devotional - Day 2R³ Devotional - Day 3R³ Devotional - Day 4R³ Devotional - Day 5 R³ Devotional - Day 6R³ Devotional - Day 7R³ Devotional - Day 8R³ Devotional - Day 9R³ Devotional - Day 10R³ Devotional - Day 11R³ Devotional - Day 12R³ Devotional - Day 13R³ Devotional - Day 14R³ Devotional - Day 15R³ Devotional - Day 16R³ Devotional - Day 17R³ Devotional - Day 18R³ Devotional - Day 19R³ Devotional - Day 20R³ Devotional - Day 21R³ Devotional - Day 22R³ Devotional - Day 23R³ Devotional - Day 24R³ Devotional - Day 25R³ Devotional - Day 26R³ Devotional - Day 27R³ Devotional - Day 28R³ Devotional - Day 29R³ Devotional - Day 30R³ Devotional - Day 31
February
R³ Devotional - Day 32R³ Devotional - Day 33R³ Devotional - Day 34R³ Devotional - Day 35R³ Devotional - Day 36R³ Devotional - Day 37R³ Devotional - Day 38R³ Devotional - Day 39R³ Devotional - Day 40R³ Devotional - Day 41R³ Devotional - Day 42R³ Devotional - Day 43R³ Devotional - Day 44R³ Devotional - Day 45R³ Devotional - Day 46R³ Devotional - Day 47R³ Devotional - Day 48R³ Devotional - Day 49R³ Devotional - Day 50R³ Devotional - Day 51R³ Devotional - Day 52R³ Devotional - Day 53R³ Devotional - Day 54R³ Devotional - Day 55R³ Devotional - Day 56R³ Devotional - Day 57R³ Devotional - Day 58R³ Devotional - Day 59
March
R³ Devotional - Day 60R³ Devotional - Day 61R³ Devotional - Day 62R³ Devotional - Day 63R³ Devotional - Day 64R³ Devotional - Day 65R³ Devotional - Day 66R³ Devotional - Day 67R³ Devotional - Day 68R³ Devotional - Day 69R³ Devotional - Day 70R³ Devotional - Day 71R³ Devotional - Day 72R³ Devotional - Day 73R³ Devotional - Day 74R³ Devotional - Day 75R³ Devotional - Day 76R³ Devotional - Day 77R³ Devotional - Day 78 R³ Devotional - Day 79R³ Devotional - Day 80R³ Devotional - Day 81R³ Devotional - Day 82R³ Devotional - Day 83R³ Devotional - Day 84R³ Devotional - Day 85R³ Devotional - Day 86R³ Devotional - Day 87R³ Devotional - Day 88R³ Devotional - Day 89R³ Devotional - Day 90
Categories
no categories