Main Scriptures: 1Tim.3:1-7
More Scriptures: Matt.7:12, Ps.139:14, Eph.5:28
A leader must handle his own affairs well………(1Tim.3:4-6) MSG
Did you know that the husbandman’s greatest need is respect? By nature, the head of the family desires respect from his wife and children and outsiders. So, when the husbandman complains that his sheep are disobedient to him, he actually meant that they don’t respect him. You must understand that God wants your wife to respect and honour you. God also wants your children to respect you. God is not pleased when any member of your sheep does not regard you as their leader. However, the respect you want from your sheep is a seed. If you don’t plant it into the lives of your sheep, it will not grow. What this means is that you must first respect your wife and children before they can respect you. The Word of God has this to say. As you want others to do to you, do unto them (Matt.7:12). You cannot continue to abuse your sheep and expect them to sincerely respect you. You cannot disrespect your wife and children openly by the way you maltreat them and think they will honour you as their leader. And if they have not reacted yet, it is not because they are afraid of you. It is just a matter of time before they respond to you with utmost disrespect and dishonor.
You have the responsibility to treat your sheep with respect by your conduct, the way you talk to them and the way you treat them before other people, including family members. You must understand that your sheep have emotions. They have feelings. They have the tendency to be happy and sad. So, as the leader, you must continue to minister to the area of their emotions that will motivate them to respect you. And for you to do that, you must engage the following action plan. The first is that you must accept that your wife and children are fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Ps.139:14). If you accept this truth, you will see them as God’s own heritage and that will guide the kinds of words that come of out your mouth to them. Secondly, you must intentionally show your sheep respect before family members and friends. Consider the story of Joseph and Mary, the parents of our Lord Jesus Christ. When Joseph discovered that his espoused wife, Mary was pregnant with a child, he did not bring her to the village square to announce to everyone what happened. He did not call his family members to come to the house and insult or drive Mary away. Rather, he treated the matter with utmost maturity. He kept it to himself and had a conversation with God. And God revealed that his wife was conceived of a child by the Holy Ghost and commanded him not to put his wife away. You deserve respect from your sheep but you must initiate it for you to enjoy reciprocal respect.
SPIRITUAL EXERCISE
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, I ask You to forgive me for disrespecting my wife and children.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, I ask for Your mercy to prevail in my life for treating my sheep as unworthy people.
- Father, in the Name of Jesus, empower me sow the seed of respect and honour in the lives of my sheep and let me enjoy the honour and respect I deserve from them.
FAITH CONFESSION
I receive the power to sow the seed of respect and honour into the lives of my sheep and as a result I enjoy the respect and honour I deserve from them in Jesus Name. Amen.
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