1Timothy 3:7 - Beautiful mirrors

”But it is necessary also to be having a beautiful witness from the [ones] outside, in order that not unto disgrace he should fall and a snare of the devil.”

-A beautiful witness from those outside.  A would-be overseer must be exemplary, both to those inside the church as well as to those who are not (yet on the inside).  He must not only have the requisite maturity and demeanor in order to be able to relate to and lead the flock entrusted to his care, but whoever is put in charge of a local “lighthouse”, a veritable outpost of heaven, will get extra scrutiny from the community, from those outside.  What kinds of things do they say about him?  And are there any things about him, any areas of his life, with which those outside might find fault?  Other than abject foolishness in excessive devotion to Jesus and things unseen?  Even in this - those outside should be able to see love.  They should be able to say that this man does indeed love...  What do those outside say about him?

-In 2Timothy, Paul talks about unbelievers being in a snare of the devil, being held captive to do what he wants (2Timothy 2.26).  Think about it - a snare is a kind of trap which is either unexpected or sudden (or both)(nobody expects that a trap is about to be sprung) - and in this case the end result is that diabolos is going to get something he wants.  And what he wants is disgrace, disgrace for God.  Shame.  He wants the name of God to be slandered and sullied.  Criticized.  Reviled.  Reproached.  The overseer, his life, his behavior and his words - these are a direct reflection to the world of what God is like, and before you put someone in front of the church you want to make sure that the mirror of their life is clean and beautiful, that they are not already sullying the beautiful name of Jesus.  But for sure, the one who stands in that office must above all others conduct himself in such a way that unbelievers might actually describe him as beautiful.  Integrity - a man of his word, someone you could count on, even if you didn’t agree with everything he said.  Love - someone who truly cares about all people, not just the members of his church.  Hard working.  Wisdom - the ability to apply the truths of God’s Word to everyday life.  What do those on the outside say about your pastor?  About you?  What do they say about me?