27 Bible Verses about Watchfulness, Of Leaders
Most Relevant Verses
then he ask'd him the second time, Simon son of Jonas do you love me? yes, Lord, said he; you know that I love you. Jesus reply'd, feed my sheep.
when a man travels into foreign parts, he leaves his goods in charge to his servants, he appoints to every one his task, and orders the porter to be vigilant, watch ye therefore (for you don't know when the master of the house will return; whether at evening, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning)
Confide in your guides, and be respectful: that they who are vigilant, as being accountable for your souls, may discharge themselves with cheerfulness, and not with anxiety, which would be to your prejudice.
be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears.
be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.
a bishop therefore ought to be of an unspotted character, to have but one wife, to be sober, prudent, grave, hospitable, and qualified for teaching:
for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not morose, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not desirous of unlawful gain.
to exhort you to feed the flock of God, which is among you: to take care of it, voluntarily, without reluctance, not from any view to sordid gain, but out of real affection;
I assure you, he that entreth not by the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, is a thief and a robber. but he that enters in by the door, is the pastor of the sheep. the porter lets him in, and the sheep know his voice: he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out to pasture.
for I know when I am gone, you will be oppress'd by wolves, that will not spare the flock.
to preach the word with assiduity upon all occasions: reprove, censure, exhort, with the most tender persuasions. for the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine, but get teachers of their own corrupt taste, to sooth their ears that itch for flattery: which, while they are deaf to the truth, attentively listen to fables.read more.
be you then entirely upon the watch: be insensible to toil: perform the work of an evangelist, and discharge your ministerial function.
attach'd to the truth, that has been taught him, that he may be able to teach others sound doctrine, and to convince those who oppose it. For there are many, especially among the Jews, who are obstinate, vain talkers and deceivers; who ought to be curb'd, who pervert whole families, teaching things which they ought not, for sordid lucre.
This I don't write to give you any confusion, but by way of remonstrance, to you who are my dear children.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark those who cause divisions and revolts against the doctrine which you have learned; and avoid them.
drunkenness, revellings, and such like, concerning which I forewarn you now, as heretofore I have done, that they who practise such vices, shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Finally, my brethren, we intreat and conjure you by the Lord Jesus Christ, to observe the instructions we gave you about your religious conduct, and to make continual progress therein.
"I declare to every one that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if any one shall add to these things, God shall strike him with the plagues that are written in this book:
for God is my witness, to whom I am entirely devoted, in preaching the gospel of his son, that I constantly make mention of you, in my prayers, requesting, if it be God's will, that I might now at length have the happiness of coming to you.
I continually give thanks upon your account, making mention of you in my prayers;
and I never pray without praying for you all with joy, for your liberality to the gospel,
Wherefore we continually pray, that our God would by his power effect all the gracious designs of his goodness, and accomplish the work of faith in you;
upon which Peter said to him, tho' all should stagger, yet I will not. Jesus said to him, verily I tell thee, to-day, even this night, before the cock crow twice, you will renounce me thrice.
a bishop therefore ought to be of an unspotted character, to have but one wife, to be sober, prudent, grave, hospitable, and qualified for teaching: not given to wine or violence, but of a gentle temper, averse to contention and avarice: a master of economy, obliging his children to behave with decorum.read more.
for if a man is incapable of governing his own family, how can he take care of the church of God? nor must he be a new convert; for fear he should be elated with pride, and so involve himself in the same ruin as the devil. besides, he ought to stand fair in the opinion of unbelievers, lest he fall into disgrace, and the ambushes of the accuser.
meditate upon these things, be wholly employ'd about them, that your proficiency may appear to all. take care how you behave, and what you teach. persevere in these duties: for by the practice of them, you will save both yourself, and those who hear you.
to chuse such as are without reproach, married to but one wife, whose children are obedient, not accused of debauchery, nor unruly. for a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not morose, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not desirous of unlawful gain. but a lover of hospitality, humane, prudent, just, holy, temperate;
My brethren, don't affect many of you to be doctors, considering, that those of us who are such, shall be tried with the greater severity.
