Guard Against Impatience

The account of Saul's presumptuous act has been recorded in God's Word for our benefit.  (1 Corinthians 10:11) It is so easy for us to become annoyed at the imperfections of our brothers. Like Saul, we may become impatient, feeling that  if matters are to be handled properly, we must take them  into our own hands.  Suppose, for example, that a brother excels  at certain organizational skills. He is punctual and, up-to-date on congregation procedures, and gifted in speaking and teaching.  At the same time, he senses that others do not measure up to his meticulous standards, and they are not nearly as efficient as he would like. Does this give him license to express impatience?  Should he criticize his brothers, perhaps implying that were it not for his efforts nothing would get done and the congregation would falter?  This would be presumptuous! 

Really, what hold a congregation of Christians together?  Management skills?  efficiency? depth of knowledge? Granted, these things are advantageous to the smooth operation of a  congregation.  (1 Corinthians 14:40; Philippians 3:16; 2 Peter 3:18) However, Jesus  said that his followers would primarily be identified  by their love. (John 13:35) That is why caring elders, while orderly, realize that the congregation is not a business that needs rigid management; instead, it is made up of a flock that needs tender care.  (Isaiah 32:1, 2; 40:11)  Presumptuous disregard for such principles often results in contention. In contrast, godly order produces peace. -1 Corinthians  14:33; Galatians 6:16.

The Bible accounts of Korah, Absalom and Saul clearly show that presumptuousness leads to dishonor, as stated at Proverbs 11:2. However, that same Bible verse adds:   "Wisdom is with the modest ones." What is modesty? What examples from the Bible can help to shed light on this quality, and how can we show modesty today?  These questions will be considered in the following article.  

Next time: "WISDOM IS WITH THE MODEST ONES"

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000