The Standard for Spiritual Influence. Acts 20:25-32. 06/07/2026

This message confronts us with a challenging question: what standards are we using to evaluate spiritual leadership and influence in our lives? Drawing from Acts 20:25-32 and multiple passages about church leadership, we're reminded that God has established clear biblical standards for those who hold spiritual authority. These aren't just guidelines for pastors and elders, but for anyone who influences others spiritually, including parents, mentors, and friends. The qualifications are sobering: leaders must be above reproach, not arrogant, self-controlled, hospitable, and able to teach sound doctrine. But here's where it gets personal: are we holding the voices we listen to on social media, podcasts, and online platforms to these same biblical standards? Or do we share messages from people whose lives we know nothing about, who display arrogance and controversy rather than gentleness and humility? The call to use the whole counsel of God protects us from being tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Like swimming perpendicular to a rip current rather than fighting against it, we need wisdom to navigate the powerful waves of popular teaching that may not align with Scripture. This message challenges us to examine not only who we're listening to, but also how we're living if we hold any spiritual influence over others.