Who you choose to follow determines much about your future. Use these principles to discern what influences you allow in your life and ministry.
The Apostle Paul addressed this question on several occasions in his letters to the churches and the young men he was mentoring in the ministry. He was concerned that they learn to discern who to follow.
Consider the verses found in these passages: 1 Corinthians 1-2:5; 1 Timothy 1:13-2:2.
It seems even today, almost 2,000 years later, we struggle with knowing who to follow and what side to take in large controversial issues or small differences in different preachers that we respect and support.
I think we all understand to an extent that it is important to whom we listen and with whom we fellowship as we recognize the influence others have on us in our relationships. As I am on a flight to Denver, Colorado, as I write this article, my heart is especially concerned for the younger generation.
I pray they will learn how to discern where to stand and how to go forward for Christ, not wavering in the process.
I’m not a writer. For years my sons have told me I should do blog posts and write books, but I have not committed myself to that playing field, as I probably should. But I am a student of Christ, and I firmly believe there are some absolutes to which young preachers desperately need to commit their hearts as they consider where they stand in these important days.
Finally, allow me to address the definitive answer we all love to give. “I don’t follow any man; I follow Christ.” I would say to you, that is my heartbeat as well! But the truth of the matter is, we all follow someone or many someones.
The Apostle Paul said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also follow Christ” in 1 Corinthians 11:1. We all allow many to influence us, and to an extent, that is a good thing; but we must discern biblically how to answer this vital question – both in our hearts and with our lives.
1. Choose Christ over Companions
It is in our nature to want to have friends in the ministry. For some, there is a sense of belonging and security in being with our friends, but the spiritual man finds his security in Christ because he has already been accepted (Ephesians 1:6)! You must be grounded in the fact that you are IN CHRIST (Colossians 2:6-8). The One we defend, the One we serve, the One to Whom we pray, the One Who is our ultimate example is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Now part of the challenge is this— there are many, even in false religions, that say they have chosen Christ. In addition, many preach Christ, but not the same Christ that you and I understand as revealed in the Word of God. So in the following points, we will consider discerning who to follow in reference to their beliefs about Christ, but this first point is a matter of the heart.
Determining who Christ is to you.
Who saved you? Who called you to preach? Who placed you where you are?
No matter what, choose Christ! If you truly love Him with all your heart, you have to make some choices that sometimes will not be popular, and to which some will disagree. But it always has been, and always will be, about HIM.
As a young man in Bible college, I took offense when someone asked me if I worshipped a particular preacher. Oh, I do not mean that they offended me personally; what insulted me was the thought that anyone would look at my life and think that I directed them to anyone other than Christ. That grieved my heart. After all, WOULDN’T IT BE TRAGIC IF PEOPLE LOOKED AT OUR LIVES AND SAW ANYTHING OTHER THAN JESUS CHRIST?
2. Choose Principles over Personalities
We face another challenge in reference to whom to follow. We can be tempted to choose personalities, camps, or groups over principles. Sometimes, we even defend our stance by attaching it to a principle from God’s Word. Other times, we get caught up in the hype and controversies, our judgment becomes clouded, and we defend people over principles (1 Corinthians 1:12,13).
Can I remind each of us that our number one problem is pride? I have seen preachers become proud and not even realize that it has clouded their discernment about principles. Choose Bible principles over popular leaders, including ones that you think might give you an opportunity for advancement or recognition.
I find this very interesting—the mantra that seems to be resounding all over is “show me a chapter and verse” as if there never was that backing previously. Now, maybe for some practical aspects of ministry, there is no chapter and verse, but the independent Baptist church, as far as I can see, had the Biblical foundation and principles for their practice.
I believe it is important for us to show from Scripture a “chapter and verse” of what we believe and what we do.
However, I am talking about the spirit and attitude when asking the question. Younger preachers, the older preachers did not give you a bad rap or mislead you, at least not the ones that pointed you to Christ and Bible principles for life and ministry.
Young Timothys, my caution to you would be not to embrace new ideas and methods just because there is not a chapter and verse that says you cannot do it. We must base our lives and ministries on the principles of God’s Word.
The most important suggestion I would like to make here is this—younger preacher, stay in the BOOK! When I see all the different new books young men are reading because someone recommended them, I have to tell you that the Bible is not out of date! Spend much more time studying your Bible than you do reading other books.
Please, let me say to you if you are like a little kid in the candy store and cannot wait to go to that next meeting to get some new ideas, and you did not have that same itching when you were in your Bible this morning, you have a problem. You are choosing personalities over principles.
3. Choose Doctrine to Determine Direction
Perhaps there is some parallel with this point and the one previous, but I would like to make some observations here. We must determine Bible principles from Bible doctrine and allow that to determine our direction. Your doctrine will determine your direction either way, so my advice would be to stick to the Bible and CHOOSE to go the right direction because you are a follower of Christ.
Young preacher, I am going to say to you quite frankly, you may not see the importance because you are at the beginning stages of your race or your course. When you compromise Bible principles because of a watered- down belief of Bible doctrine or even choose to yoke up with those that have a watered-down doctrine, you are heading in the wrong direction.
A wave of an emphasis on cultural relevance is causing a younger generation to have this idea: “We need to work together with others that are ‘preaching Christ’ so we can better evangelize and get the Gospel out.” I warn you that we must not compromise our doctrine to “get along better with our neighbors” and bring unity to all the religions in the neighborhood.
Do not compromise!
I was speaking to a younger preacher recently who I love dearly, and my heart broke as he told me of his going to the meeting of religious leaders in his community and how it was so refreshing to work together with them. Shame on us for not warning the generation coming up that our doctrine cannot be compromised in an effort to reach more people.
I do not have the time in these comments to show you example after example of preachers that have changed over time because they did not understand that doctrine determines direction. We see in the passages previously noted, how Paul warned the churches and young Timothy and others about those that were given to change.
4. Choose to be a Friend, not Have Friends
This almost sounds like a point that we would give to teenagers in a youth meeting or teen camp. But the truth of the matter is we as adults, and even as preachers, need to learn to be a friend to those that God puts in our lives.
First of all, may the Lord help us not to allow the world’s and Hollywood’s mentality to creep into our churches and ministries regarding friendship. And may we stay humble and not get caught up in the pride and arrogance that can call to us through the world of social media, and yes, our “friendships.”
But more than that, we need a Holy Ghost revival of being a friend that goes to a friend and talks with him when we have a disagreement with him. I am sorry to say that most preachers are so filled with pride that a friend would not be able to come to them with something he disagrees with them on.
Be a real friend.
Go to a brother when you have a concern or problem; yes, go to him and talk to him. No one is perfect; we all have flaws. Thank God for a friend that loves you enough to talk to you at times.
Recently, our family started making music CD’s. Wow, do you want to open yourself to an onslaught of criticism, start putting music out (Jk – God has been so good)! But in all seriousness, we have had many around the country and the world that have said that the music has been a blessing to them. Praise the Lord! But, I have had a couple of my dearest friends come to me and warn me to be careful. I thanked them for their love and concern. Thank you for being a friend!
I would say about this point, sometimes as a friend, you will have to choose to part ways because someone compromises on principles and doctrine, and that determines direction. You can still love him, but you cannot follow that type of friendship. It is very clear to me in studying the life of Paul, that he was not going to compromise Bible principles to acquiesce for a friendship.
5. Choose Prayer Closets over Public Contests
I know that each of us understands that our greatest challenge in ministry is our prayer closet. This point is not to knock those whom God has given a platform through books and blogs and such to teach and minister. Let me say further, thank you to those that have those platforms. God is using you, and we need your influence. But more than keeping up with the latest debate or catching up on the latest discussion of issues among “brethren,” we need to pray.
Seriously, maybe we need to go out to eat less after the “meeting” and pray more. I fear that some men in ministry spend far more time talking to others about others than they do talking to God about others. Sometimes I wonder if we really believe in the power of prayer. I will say this: dwelling in your prayer closet will help you to be more Christlike in your dealing with others. But young preacher, choose prayer over platforms and popularity.
Any study of the apostle Paul and his letters to the churches and young preachers reveals that Paul was passionate in prayer for others. He consistently used the terminology of “praying without ceasing.” I think it’s safe to say that Paul guarded his heart and treatment of others because he was committed to much prayer for them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I am not writing to defend or to attack any individual. I will say without reservation that I am a sinner saved by grace and an independent Baptist preacher that hungers to get everything I can from the older generation that has been faithful to Christ and Bible doctrine and Biblical principles. I am not nervous about utilizing new technology nor about implementing some new ideas—as long as I do not compromise my doctrine and my principles. Also, I am not interested in going to those that I do not agree with doctrinally to influence my beliefs and my philosophy of ministry. I have no desire to go that direction.
Please forgive me; there is so much more that can and should be said. This is just some thoughts from the heart of a preacher that is burdened to see some young preachers stick by the stuff and not compromise in the cause of Christ. And older preachers, we need you. Thank you for passing on to us a goodly heritage. We have been blessed! I am almost to Denver. Thank you for letting me take a few hours and share some thoughts with you.