Qualifications:  Self-Controlled

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Then what of the next virtue of being “sober-minded” or “self-controlled”? The word Paul employs seems to indicate one who can carefully apply his mind to issues, and to do so with great discernment. A man who can make reasonable judgements, and then act wisely on them. When various issues come up in church life, a pastor needs to be a man who not only has spiritual wisdom and discernment, but a man who can weigh things up, balance things together, and consider a wise course of events, as well as apply them.

Think of Apollos He was a gifted speaker, who was mighty in the Scriptures, well-instructed in the way of the Lord, but who was still willing to be taught by Priscilla and Aquila, so that he might learn the ways of God more accurately. Is it not that what Acts 18:26 says? “So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately”. And note verses 27b-28—which tell us that on arriving at Achaia “he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:27-28).

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