Titus 1

“For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.”  Titus 1: 7-9 (HCSB)

Many years ago, I committed myself to reading a chapter of the Bible each day.  The text seemed awkward and obscure at first.  I wondered how much of the Bible was actually applicable to my life.  I would begin with this prayer: “Lord, give me something today and someone to share it with.”  While the reading was laborious at times, God was faithful to answer that prayer.  He gave me something relevant each day, and He began leading people into my life who were asking spiritual questions that corresponded to the truth God was revealing to me.

Over time, I realized that I could add some Biblical truth to almost every conversation.  I began ministering to people by virtue of the cache of Biblical truth the Spirit was stockpiling daily in my heart.  

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense [answer] to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

When we study the Bible, we are sowing the seeds of readiness.  We are preparing to give reason for the hope that is in us.  By preparing in such a way, we become active participants in spiritual battle.  We are in a state of spiritual war, and in a sense, we are both the soldiers and the battlefields.  We are the “land” that God and Satan both long to possess.  The difference between spiritual warfare and all other warfare is that the “battlefield” is given the right to choose who will possess it.

When we choose to follow Jesus, He gives us the gift of His Spirit, Who exposes the truth of God’s Word.  A great tragedy of the Church is that we have the potential to know deep mysteries of Scripture, yet so few believers realize it.  Not only do they forsake their calling to share the hope of the gospel, but they also deny themselves the source of vital optimism, which is needed to get through life.

Biblical knowledge bears interest by building your faith.  Before you become intimate with God’s Word, your faith is shallow.  As we gain knowledge of God’s Word, we begin viewing life through the lens of the Bible.  Instead of seeing only pain and despair, we learn to live in hope, even through seemingly hopeless situations.

As you develop a Biblical worldview, you begin trusting God’s plan more than the World’s.  This is exactly the state that God wants spiritual leaders to be operating in and that we all should strive for.  We should be moving from being overseen by spiritual shepherds to being overseers ourselves.  You don’t have to be a “Minister” to minister.