Living In A Fish Bowl

# 93 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 1Ti 3:4a, “ 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (1 Tim 3:4a) God bless PK's. (preachers kids) They truly are a special breed of children! They didn't choose their lot in life, but because they are the pastor's children, they must live in a fish bowl. They face intense pressure to toe the line. After all, if the pastor can't keep his children from misbehaving, how in the world can he pastor a church? Why his very calling could be at stake! He could lose his livelihood simply because his children are unruly! No wonder some PK's turn to rebellious ways. That's what happens when Law is overemphasized and legalism rules. This phenomena is addressed in Ro 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. And in Ro:7:8, 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. This truth is magnified in the fish bowl in which the children of pastors live, and it's an area in which the evil one will often focus his attention in an attempt to silence the messengers of God! A PK gets in trouble with the law, an unplanned pregnancy occurs, and the pastor feels he must step down or the congregation demands it! This is all so wrong, and please church, pastor, children, don't fall for it. Ruling one's house well has nothing to do with raising spotless children, just as pastoring a church has nothing to do with raising spotless sheep. No! A thousand times no! Sin will come! Or are you one who has reached perfection! Ruling one's house well and ruling the congregation well is not about making sure everyone behaves. No! It's what you do when misbehavior shows up.....and it will! How you handle sin in the family will demonstrate that you know how to handle it in the church family as well. Yes you teach your children and your congregation the difference between right and wrong! But when they slip up, you lovingly confront them, and if necessary discipline them, with the ultimate goal of restoration! Sometimes these require tough decisions on the part of all involved, but decisions that the leader of the flock and the family must be willing to make. Yes, the ruling of one's family is a great proving ground for the one who would rule a flock.