Do You Have A Man of God in Your Life?

One of the most disconcerting scriptures to the modern mind is Hebrews 13:17.  “Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves…”  Judging from reactions often caused just by quoting this scripture, one would think heresy has been sanctioned by the pastor.  It may come as a surprise to some that this scripture is a statement, not a question.  I stand on solid scriptural ground, however, when I contend that a man of God in each believer’s life is absolutely necessary.  God wants you to have a spiritual authority that can speak into your life.

Today’s strained relationship between leaders and followers in the world complicates the Bible’s call for obedience and submission to spiritual authority.  We already have a built-in cultural resistance to leadership, but the ugliness we have seen in prominent leaders in recent history—like the Vietnam War, Watergate and the impeachment proceedings against a sitting president—have seriously elevated this distrust issue.  Yet, it is vital for Bible believers to understand that there is a set of contrary circumstances to every spiritual principle that God establishes in His Word.  Every time God gives an order, Satan shows up with any number of reasons why we should disobey it.  Be careful with this one!  The call for spiritual authority must be embraced regardless of a culture that makes it difficult or even rejects it.

“And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death” Deuteronomy 33:1.  This first reference to the “man of God” begins a long list of scriptures that use the phrase.  Patriarchs, generals, prophets and priests in the Old Testament, along with apostles, pastors and evangelists in the New Testament bore this solemn title.  They issued commands, offered counsel, rebuked disobedience, gave directives, dispensed blessings, anointed vessels and represented the voice of and authority of God whenever they spoke.  Regardless of era or position, the man of God elicited respect and reverence.  Some indeed proved themselves unworthy of respect, and abused the privileges granted to them, but in time God always exposed them. 

Why do you need a man of God?  Because God knows that you are so busy tending to the responsibilities of life that you often do not hear God speaking to you and you are not focused on the spiritual program of the church as a whole.  His plan is that the man of God in your life would become the conduit through which the wisdom and word of God flows to you.  He seeks out the will of God for you and the congregation for your spiritual well-being.  He holds himself apart from carnal pursuits like money, possessions and fleshly pleasure so he can remain sensitive to the voice of God.  As Paul told Timothy, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” 1 Timothy 6:11-12. 

Dogs, snakes, wolves and scorpions—animals in Scripture that represent vicious enemies of the soul—trigger a protective response from the man of God for his flock.  Most saints never see them, but the man of God has trained his vision to see spiritual enemies creeping into their lives.  He cannot be still.  “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” 2 Timothy 4:2.  Whenever he issues a warning over the pulpit, or taps you on the shoulder and speaks directly to you, understand that he sees and senses something about which you may be oblivious.  Don’t think he is picking on you or that he has something against you.  Not true.  Two main purposes drive him:  your personal salvation and the preservation of the flock.  After all, the man of God feels a weight on his shoulders that no one else has: accountability.  “…for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” Hebrews 13:17.

Here are a few things to do concerning the man of God in your life.  Pray for him.  He fights battles in arenas that you cannot know.  Support him.  Even as Aaron and Hur lifted up the arms of Moses over the battle against the Amalekites, so the congregation needs to support the work of the ministry.  Resistance, or even indifference, becomes a drag on his mission.  Cooperate with him.  Lend your eyes and ears, hands and feet to the vision that he casts for the church.  Someone has well said “Vision without action is a daydream; action without vision is a nightmare.”  Reaffirm him.  He needs to know when he strikes a chord in your life.  He needs to know the victories you gain through listening to his sermons and messages.  He is very human and he operates much better with encouragement and affirmation.  Heed his warnings.  Testy, critical or dismissive attitudes destroy the effectiveness that the man of God needs to have in your life.  Men of lesser rank don’t always understand the orders of the generals.  The man of God is in tune with the Overshepherd.

The mission of the man of God descends from God Himself and has, at its core, the spiritual welfare of the church.  “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” Acts 20:26-28. God has entrusted his ministers with a precious commodity—the church, which is destined to be the Bride of Christ!  Never allow this lofty objective to be harmed by carnal attitudes or self-centered opinions.  Rightly received, the man of God will help you achieve your highest spiritual goals and will lead you into the presence of God.