Sunday, 26th March 2023
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: KNOW ALL MEN BY THEIR SPIRIT
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.” - 1 Timothy 5:22
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- What does it mean to lay hands on people?
- Under what circumstance can we say it was hasty to lay hands on another?
Now and then, scores of people are ordained into the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ and given responsibility for the care of God’s people. The fathers who ordain some men or women have never had the opportunity to grow them nor enquired about them as to whether they have shown the credibility and honor that comes with being a minister of the Gospel. Hence, some have thrown caution to the wind and neglected the rigorous processes and prayer that accompany one’s ordination into the sacred ministry of the Gospel.
The Apostle Paul by the Spirit in anticipation that this is likely to happen in the Church at Ephesus instructed Timothy not to be “…hasty in the laying on of hands…” In other words, he should not hastily ordain people (or approve and give his consent) into the ministry.
A lot of caution, prayer and confirmation of character was to be exercised before one is ordained to the care of souls. Where such caution is not exercised it is deemed that the ordination or the laying on of hands has been hasty.
The danger here that we have ignored is the fact that we partake in the sins of whomever we lay hands on ( or approve and give our consent to), commissioning them into the ministry of the Gospel.
This is why we must choose to know no man after the flesh (2 Cor 5:16) or by eye assessment.
Precious One, this is also the case with our individual walk with God. Today, it is more difficult to decipher a true brother from a false one. All sorts of people come our way with various stories, seeking our consent or involvement. Some believers have lost huge sums of money because they trusted someone who posed as genuine, trustworthy and a Christian. Their approach, appearance and words (fake promises and projections) made caution unnecessary, and regret was the outcome. We cannot walk with God, who knows the heart of all men, and not seek His opinion on all matters. In choosing a partner, agreeing to a business deal, or advancing loans or funds to another person, pray about it. Ask God whether the person you are dealing with is genuine, and the Holy Spirit of God, who guides us into all truth, will give us peace in our hearts or restlessness in our spirits. Sometimes, your consent is sought within a short period, to force you to make a quick decision.
Precious one, don’t allow anyone to force you to make an important decision when you’ve not known the mind of God.
Beloved in Christ, we need to exercise a lot of restraint when it comes to giving our consent, approval and endorsement to others. Pray about all things and about all men lest we be beguiled as Eve in the garden of Eden. From today resolve to know no man after the flesh, involving God in all your decisions and endorsements. Hallelujah!
FURTHER READING – Acts 8:18-24
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How much time do you take to consult God on your decisions?
- Have you trusted someone and regretted it? How are you ensuring that you never invest trust in the wrong enterprise or person?
CONFESSION
Heavenly Father, help me to be conscious of your ever-abiding presence in me and with me. Seeking your mind in all my decisions and choices is my way of life from today going, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Number 7; Proverbs 4; Luke 18
Comments powered by CComment