Verses 1-4
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Church-leaders, be like shepherds.
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Serve by watching over believers, to protect them from threats to their faith (Acts 20:28-31). To serve as an "overseer" is to watch over as to "beware".
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Serve by feeding them with the Word through teaching, and by encouraging them to nourish themselves in their own study and prayer (Psalm 23:1-3).
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Serve by being a friend that sets good examples—examples they can follow (John 10:27, 1 Corinthians 11:1). The difference between a lord and an example is that a lord orders others around telling them what to do, whereas an example does the action himself first, and then exhorts others to do the same. All his expectations for the church are first his own acts of obedience. A faithful leader is one who is an example.
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Do not lead by boasting of power, ordering people around, or micro-managing. Remember that Christ is ultimately in charge of everyone, and He can be trusted with His own church!
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Don't correct people for things that are not sinful or for things that don't really matter. Don't try to make people do things your way just because they don't measure up to your personal standards. Show lots of grace. Don't be a judge over things that are unimportant (see Romans 14:1-4).
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Desire to serve, but don't do so for what you can gain. Be selfless (John 10:11).
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Don't lead out of a desire for financial compensation. If you truly desire to serve selflessly, you will serve whether you are paid or not. If you only consider pastoring if is can become a career, you are doing it for the wrong reason.
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Verses 5-7
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All believers are to be submissive to their leaders in the church, but younger people often especially need to hear this. Young people must put off the pride of youthfulness and listen to the wisdom of their leaders.
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Additionally, all believers should be humble and submitted to each other. Being "clothed with humility" means to conduct oneself with a lowly mind, which metaphorically is compared to a servant girding himself for servitude/labor (wearing a slave's garb). In other words, daily remind yourself to focus on serving others, and present yourself as someone who seeks the good of others.
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In this humble attitude, submit to each other by heeding correction from others and by preferring the needs and wants of others rather than demanding your own way.
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Verse 6. When we are submissive, we show that we trust the hand of God to protect us and take care of us. Submitting under people is actually an expression of submitting under God - trusting His Word enough to do what it says even if it's uncomfortable. People often hesitate to submit to others due to fear that they will be harmed, ignored, neglected, or taken advantage of. Trust God to take care of you instead. Rather than striving to defend yourself or worry for yourself, trust that God will take care of you when you put His Word and others first.
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As another act of submission, submit your worries to God with prayer. Let go of worry and anxiety with constant prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).
Verses 8-9
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Toward God we are to cast off our cares and be carefree (like worry-free). But toward the devil, on the other hand, we are to be careful. In other words, don't worry, but be cautious. Know satan's tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11), so that you escape his traps. Satan goes after the weak and isolated.
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Don't succumb to temptation, and avoid situations where you know you'll be tempted to sin (Romans 13:14).
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Be self-controlled or learn self-control (to be sober), as the enemy has more control over those who cannot control themselves.
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Be wary of your thoughts. Do not act on all your thoughts. Correct thoughts that are not biblical (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
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Do this well, and the devil will flee from you (James 4:7). He will avoid you if you're strong. So, the more you continue to repent, the easier it will become to resist any and all sin.
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To strengthen you in resisting the enemy, remember that believers everywhere experience the same temptations from the devil. Nothing you're going through is too hard. And know that being mindful of others will make you stronger in resisting temptation. The victory of others who have been in your situation encourages you, and knowing how your own failure or victory will affect others will motivate you.
Verses 10-11
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You will be made strong and perfected through suffering (Hebrews 5:8). So, remember to endure without giving in to sin or fear or worry.
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God always gives us the grace we need to endure what He allows us to suffer.
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