"Be Thou An Example"
Today in the midst of a world of corruption and iniquity the words of the great Apostle Paul should be preached as never before... In writing to the young preacher Timothy, Paul said, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (1 Tim. 4:12)
Many of us who preach the "unsearchable riches of Christ" use this as the basis for many a sermon to those who hear us, but I believe the time is here when some who are preachers need to give heed to the teaching of Paul. The words originally were written to a preacher, so surely it is not out of order to remind preachers of the gospel that these admonitions have a special application to them.
There is nothing that destroys a preacher's influence like an ungodly life. It is impossible to please God without living a life that portrays the example of Christ to a world that can see one's life far quicker than they can hear one's words. I know gospel preachers who go to movies, smoke, chew, play cards, are dancers, go to mixed bathing parties, and do many other things that are wrong and questionable. What an effect this has on young people who are watching the life of the preacher, as well as the lives of other Christians!
I have seen preachers who could do much better in their work if they were not laden with bad habits and filthy lives. How can a preacher stand in the pulpit and exhort people to live "soberly, righteously, and godly" if at the same time he is a living example of one who has utterly failed to do this? One who teaches others needs to take heed to these words from the writing of Paul, "Thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?" (Rom. 2:21) A man's life should be consistent with his teaching.
The love of the world has a strong appeal, and it is not surprising that it should take its toll among gospel preachers. If we teach young people that dancing, mixed bathing, smoking, and such like are wrong, and then some preacher comes into the community (perhaps to hold a meeting) who is a smoker, dancer, movie-goer, beer guzzler, what terrible effect this will have in destroying the sound teaching that has been done. I realize, of course, that every Christian should be a good example, and that God does not have one set of rules for the preacher and another set (much laxer) for the man who is not a preacher. But all the same, this does not excuse the preacher from his responsibility to "be an example."
Paul reminds the Thessalonian brethren of the life he and his companions had led in their midst when they had preached the gospel in Thessalonica. He said, "Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe." (1 Thess. 2:10) There are preachers known to me who could not make such a statement to the churches with whom they have labored.
It is my feeling that preachers in the "mission" fields, the hard and difficult places of labor, are probably leading a better example on the average than are those who preach where the church is strong and popular. Certainly, there are exceptions in both places. But perhaps those who labor where the church is unpopular and under constant critical observation realize more than others the extreme care that must be exercised in every word, every deed, and every thought. Enemies of the Lord are closely watching for flaws and weaknesses; those faithful to the Lord must be constantly on guard.
I am made sad to see any preacher come into a mission field whose example before the church and the outside world is bad. I could never recommend any man either for a meeting or for other work who did not "live what he preaches." And no faithful man would recommend a preacher who did not preach the full truth of the gospel. Recently, while discussing "modest apparel" with a young lady, I was stunned to hear her say, "Brother (a gospel preacher) went swimming with us the other day." No doubt the devil rejoices when a servant of God so conducts himself.
May God help us who preach to realize that "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come." If Timothy needed this exhortation, I am sure it will help us today who are striving to "fight the good fight of faith."