Spiritually Minded 06

Even Christian leaders can be carnally minded. This week we will look at one more example of a carnally minded Christian. As we do, remember to keep in mind the following statement: EVERY DECISION WE MAKE, EVERY ACTION WE TAKE, EVERY THOUGHT WE THINK, IS INFLUENCED BY EITHER THE SPIRIT OR THE FLESH.

Diotrephes, 3 John 1:9
9I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10Therefore, 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 don’t know much about Diotrephes. In fact this is the only place he is mentioned. It appears that he held some or other office in the local church to which John was writing—possibly even leading it.

Whatever his office, it’s clear that Diotrephes’ leadership position had gone to his head. He enjoyed the authority he had and used it selfishly and inappropriately to lord it over people, ignoring or being ignorant of Jesus’ teaching that leaders in the Church should not do so.

He had become critical of the apostles and spread rumours and gossip about them in order to discredit them and elevate himself.

He would not receive instruction or correction. He refused to recognise any other authority and eventually became so paranoid that he felt threatened by anyone who did and excommunicated them.

Attributes of Diotrophes’ carnal mind that we need to guard against:

Desiring a leadership position in order to have power and influence.

Using positions of leadership to elevate ourselves and push others down rather than developing them.

Feeling threatened or resentful of anyone in authority over us.

Spreading rumours or gossip about our leaders, even in the guise of “prayer requests.”

Being unteachable.