DAY 19 – The Pratting Fool

Today’s Scripture:

3 John 1:9-10 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.

We are so use to the encouragement of love one another that this call out of Diotrephes takes us off guard, but John is not unrealistic. Here is where reading this passage from the challenge is not enough. Look at the scriptures, turn to this passage and keep reading. Here is what you would find.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

3 John 1:11

Notice then the whole passage are verse 9-11

911 – Emergency, Warning, Alarm, Beware, Watch out!!!

John publicly rebukes him – forever memorializing this man for his behavior in the scriptures. He followed the clear command of the Scriptures (Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.) and the example of other apostles (2 Timothy 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.)

Another thing we find out if we read the full chapter of John 3 — is that John started his letter to Gaius, who walked in the truth and offered humble hospitality.

So, we can see that John is giving us an example of what to do and what not to do. Diotrephes was a prominent leader and having such a public face in the church allowed for a public rebuke. There is no place for pride.

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

His actions showed what kind of man he really was.

Action: 

Take a moment and ponder the ways you act foolishly by trying to have exclusive groupings in church and acting in an “I am better than” others attitude.

Over the years I have had people say to me that “I act like I am all that.” I also learned that many people were not trying to be unkind or simply just to call me out. But that they were hurt. I am a very task driven person. I have had to learn to slow down, see people, look at them, see them, hear them. Bottomline: Care more about them than my tasks. When I don’t, I can fall into just getting the task done, to feeling like what I do is really important, so I don’t have time for people, so this is trap of pride. Love will always lead you toward people. Pride will lead you away!

Thanks for listening,

Starla