Watch Yourself!

Hebrews 13: 17

¹⁷ Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.

Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

This is one of those verses that should make Pastors/Preachers shake a little bit.

One day there is going to be an accounting for those who proclaimed... “Thus sayeth the Lord!!”

Keeping watch over souls is risky business...for the soul watcher, and for the soul itself.

I wonder if this verse is considered at all in the church anymore?

Over the course of 14 years of ministry, I’ve had a number of people say some pretty harsh things to me, without ever using their Bibles.

Maybe for good reason, and then again maybe not. I wonder if I’ve had more joyful times in ministry, or more times of groaning?

It is the Preachers responsibility to lead people toward the mind and the will of God, which is revealed in the Bible.

People who go their own way and refuse to follow, will indeed suffer loss.

It is the Shepherds responsibility to lovingly lead the Sheep to spiritual prosperity and maturity.

It is the Sheep’s responsibility to produce faith and fruit for the Kingdom...not the Shepherd.

Poor leadership and poor following will all be accounted for one day.

The Preacher should stand in and protect the flock from anything harmful to the soul...according to the Word of God....and not according to public opinion.

One day there are going to be some red faced Shepherds, and some very regretful Sheep too.

Maybe there was a good reason, when Paul said to Timothy...”¹⁶ Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.” (1 Timothy 4: 16)