“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV.
Have you ever heard a parent tell their child to eat vegetables, only for the child to refuse? Even though the meal is nutritious, kids may not understand its importance, so parents guide them toward healthy eating habits. In the same vein, spiritual leaders serve a vital role by providing guidance and nourishment through the Word of God, helping strengthen individuals and build them up.
Our anchor text reveals that Christ gave spiritual leaders as gifts to the Church for one purpose: to build up the body of Christ. It is God’s intentional design. Throughout Scripture, we see this pattern in Jesus and His disciples, in Philip’s ministry to the Ethiopian eunuch, and in the work of the early church leaders. These examples show that God appoints individuals to preach the gospel and teach the Word, enabling believers to transform and strengthen the Church.
Your spiritual leader is there to partner with you for your progress and joy in the faith. They walk alongside you as guides and examples, helping you grow in your understanding and obedience to God’s Word. Through their teaching, encouragement, correction, and prayers, they nurture your spiritual growth and help you move from infancy to maturity in Christ. Their role is not to replace your personal walk with God but to strengthen it. (Phillipians 1:25 )
They also serve another critical role: protection. Like shepherds who guard sheep from wolves, spiritual leaders protect you from false teaching. In our age of endless voices claiming spiritual authority, this protection is vital. Many people pretend to be leaders but teach false doctrine that can lead you astray. Godly leaders help you discern these counterfeits and train you in God’s Word so you can recognise truth from error. (I Timothy 1:2-3, 2 Corinthians 11:2-5)
Knowing the importance of spiritual leaders to your growth as a believer, you must be careful in choosing one. (Titus 1:9). Your spiritual leader should be firmly rooted in Scripture, not cultural trends, teach sound doctrine that builds you up, dare to refute false teaching, exhibit godly character and genuine love for people.
Dear believer, don’t choose a leader based solely on charisma or popularity. Your soul is too valuable. Seek someone who will faithfully feed you with God’s Word and protect you from deception.
Bible Reading Plan: Isaiah 59–61; Philemon 1:1–25