“And you say, ‘How I have hated discipline! And my heart spurned reproof! I have not listened to the voice of my instructors, And I have not inclined my ear to my teachers!’” (Proverbs 5:12–13, LSB)
Recently, I began recording a series in our IFCA podcast Advancing the Cause asking the question: Who Shepherds the Pastor? In this series, I am hoping to draw attention to the fact that all followers of Christ, pastors and elders included, need to have someone (preferably a few people) who watches over their soul.
This morning’s Scripture reading once again brought this necessity to my mind in the context of a father (Solomon) warning his sons about the lure of adultery.
Solomon imparts wise words on how to avoid the pitfalls of lust and adulterous relationships. He employs the eventual fate of the adulterer as a deterrent, illustrating the consequences of disregarding this wisdom and remaining faithful to marriage vows.
Solomon’s words apply to more than the destructive effect of adultery. In fact, they are applicable to everyone who comes to the end of their foolish ways and begins to regret their unwillingness to listen to the voices of reason and warning that preceded their downfall.
In regard to church leaders, this is a particular danger. Some pastors, by virtue of their small church, are often the lone leader. Others, by design, have isolated themselves from any other critics. Either way, the results are the same—words of warning are either unspoken or silenced.
I can’t think of anyone I know who enjoys being confronted for their sin. Confrontation is like good medicine. It’s bitter, but it helps where needed. We take it because we know the alternative is worse.
In reality, biblical counsel is beneficial. However, the challenge for many is that we understand the right things intellectually, yet we turn our hearts away, much like a young child turning away from the bitter syrup in a spoon, lips tightly pressed in rebellious refusal. While this child’s behavior may be considered childish if they are too young to comprehend the consequences of refusing their medicine, if they are old enough to understand and still resist, their childishness has transformed into foolishness.
Pastors are not naive or spiritual children. Instead, they understand the profound impact of the Word on the heart’s pain and brokenness caused by sin. However, they often take on the role of spiritual mother rather than the stubborn child. At least, that’s what we commonly believe.
Perhaps we’ve fallen prey to a subtle deception that acknowledges our imperfections, as all redeemed Christians do, yet still struggles with sin… but not excessively. Our congregants require the medicine, but we, we’re too mature to need it frequently. But is that truly the case?
If you’re a spiritual leader in the Church, you need someone to watch over your soul. Just like a medical doctor, who is still susceptible to illness, his medical expertise and training don’t prevent common colds. Physicians require the guidance of other physicians. Similarly, pastors need to be pastored. We need someone to use the rod and staff to guide and correct us through the Word of God.
To avoid such a relationship is foolish. Rejecting correction and warnings will lead us to a similar fate as the adulterer in Proverbs 5:12-14. As God’s children, we all need each other. Don’t believe the lie that you’re an exception. There are no exceptions. Don’t become the foolish, isolated Christians who, one day, look up and find their life in shambles, with their family and ministry forfeited because they refused to listen.
Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23, LSB)
