2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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PRIDE IS NOT FOR THE SERVANT OF THE LORD
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28
3 John 9-11
Psalm 10:2-6
“The wicked, through the pride of his
countenance, will not seek after God …”
PRIDE IS NOT FOR THE SERVANT OF THE LORD
There is no background information given about the characters mentioned in the text except that Gaius was a good man and Diotrephes was a proud man. John had written a letter to the church and Diotrephes did not receive them. He was not a servant of the Lord though he pretended to be one. He had no love for the brethren nor was he given to hospitality. He just wanted to become a leader for the sake of it. John said that when he would come he would remember the deeds that he had done. Diotrephes spoke ill of them with malicious words. He showed a forbidding attitude and did not receive the brethren. He also forbade those who desired to receive them and cast them out of the church.
In every description, Diotrephes was a bad man. He was proud and wanted to be above everybody. Matthew Henry had this comment of him: “Both the heart and mouth must be watched. The temper and spirit of Diotrephes was full of pride and ambition. It is bad not to do good ourselves; but it is worse to hinder those who would do good. Those cautions and counsels are most likely to be accepted, which are seasoned with love. Follow that which is good, for he that doeth good, as delighting therein, is born of God. Evil-workers vainly pretend or boast acquaintance with God. Let us not follow that which is proud, selfish, and of bad design, though the example may be given by persons of rank and power; but let us be followers of God, and walk in love, after the example of our Lord.”
One wonders why Diotrephes was associated with the church. However, there are such people in the church. Paul said that their conscience is seared with a hot iron (1 Tim 4:2). They act without any sense of guilt. Pray that such in our midst may repent.
THOUGHT: “Pride goeth before destruction …”
PRAYER: Lord, may I tame the ever present spirit of pride in me.