One of the greatest needs in the body of Christ today is what Luke described in Acts 17:11 concerning the Bereans: they “were of more noble character” because they “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Too often, people in the Church are more impressed by a leader’s performance than by the content of their message. The Church could benefit from a healthy dose of spiritual skepticism.
Paul’s advice in 2nd Corinthians 10:7-11: “Don’t look at things according to outward appearances!” He proceeds to outline three authenticating marks of Christian ministry:
1. He must belong to Christ: While this may seem obvious, Paul emphasizes that one cannot be a servant of Jesus without centering their ministry on Him. Some teachers may talk about God but avoid talking about Jesus and His work. Paul’s legitimacy as an apostle rests on his relationship with Jesus, as he affirms that he is “in Christ.”
2. Look at the visible results: Paul says, “Even if I boast about our authority, which the Lord gave us…I shall not be ashamed.” How can we tell if someone’s authority is from the Lord? According to Paul, it should be evident through the fruits of their labor. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “By their fruits you will know them.” When you observe the lives of those who follow a certain teacher, are they becoming more like Jesus? Are they growing in love, holiness, and freedom? Paul invites scrutiny of his ministry, asserting that his authority was given by the Lord for the purpose of building others up, not tearing them down.
3. Examine who is in charge: Paul summarizes this section with the phrase, “within the limits of the sphere which God has appointed us” (vs. 13). If Jesus is truly in charge, the leader will not have a personal agenda but will instead be focused on fulfilling Christ’s mission. Such a leader won’t seek notoriety or be driven by personal ambition. They will go where Jesus guides, be concerned with reaching the unchurched, and boast only in what God is doing, not in their own accomplishments.