… ⁶and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. ⁷And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Spiritual maturity, as exemplified in an elder, does not exist in a newly saved Christian. This, of course, is obvious. But when does a person stop being a “new convert”? The high stakes involved render this a crucial question. Prematurely putting a person into church leadership exposes him to twin dangers. The first is conceit. New believers are naturally excited about all they are learning, and spiritual advancement seems to be happening rapidly. But the spiritual life is more like a marathon than a 100-meter dash. There is still far more to learn. Giving leadership responsibility too soon can give a new believer the sense that he has already arrived at spiritual maturity, and that is where conceit can take a foothold. The same is true of involving new believers in heavy theological issues when they should be focusing on shoring up the foundational truths of salvation and the disciplines of their walk with the Lord.

The second danger is that criticism comes with leadership territory. People have high expectations of leaders, and they move from encouraging the young believer to laying burdens on him. Criticism will take its toll; the new convert will feel the weight of resistance, which Paul describes as satanic. Soon the new believer will be overwhelmed by it all or hardened in his conceit. He is not yet mature enough to handle the conflicts that typically arise among sinful believers who are all on the road to—but have not yet arrived at—spiritual maturity.

Paul concludes his list of elder characteristics (which we have been saying are also signs of spiritual maturity) with the quality of having “a good reputation with those outside the church.” This characteristic and the first, “above reproach,” form bookends to the list. To fail in these areas gives Satan a field day in criticizing the moral character of believers.

We are focusing on things that are seen outwardly; only God can judge the heart. We only see the telltale signs of maturity. Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us that others will know we are spiritually mature when they see us growing in this list of characteristics required of elders. We should all be spiritually maturing toward the goal of Christlikeness.

Lord, with Your help, I commit to not giving anyone a reason for criticizing the moral character of the church.