Don't Be Chasing Butterflies

# 80 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 1Ti 3:2 A bishop (pastor) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, (1 Tim 3:2) Next on the list of qualifications for those who would serve in the office of pastor is he must be temperate. When's the last time you heard someone described as temperate? We just don't use that kind of language anymore! The word means vigilant! What a great word for one who would serve as the shepherd of a flock! For 1Pe 5:8 reminds us to, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” A shepherd is always on guard for wolves who will attempt to sneak into the flock and steal away sheep with false teachings! Paul speaking to the church at Ephesus in Ac 20:28-31 says, "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. Yes, pastor, you must be of the type that is vigilant! Ever watching for the poison of false doctrine and the leaven of sin showing up in the lives of your sheep. So how can you tell if a person is vigilant? It's fairly simple. Are they spending time in the Word of God? How can someone be watchful of false doctrine and sin if they are unschooled in the teachings of the Word of God? Secondly, what does their lifestyle look like? Are they sloppy when it comes to seeking to live in accordance with the Word of God? Are they slow to confess their sins? How about humility? Is it evident in their actions and approach to God? Still another clue is how they handle what is trendy. Do they chase after trends like a child chasing a butterfly, or do they stick to the basic teachings of the apostolic doctrine handed down through the ages. Techniques of teaching and preaching may change with the times, but the message must not be altered! A shepherd who gets caught up in butterfly chasing ceases to be vigilant and puts the sheep at great risk. No wonder the Apostle Paul never ceased warning about this with tears! Do you aspire to be a pastor? Then be watchful and start by being watchful and teachable in your own life, and if you are going to chase after anything, let it be God!