7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,
The next list gives five sins that should not characterize a bishop. This passage describes the bishop who does not do these things as “blameless” (vv. 6-7). The list is of five succinct traits that are a problem in Christian leadership.
not self-willed,
The idea of “self-willed” is to be overbearing or arrogant in relation to others. The bishop should be flexible when it comes to methodology, and consider other viewpoints.
PRINCIPLE:
Arrogant self-interest is not conducive to godly leadership.
APPLICATION:
Some Christian leaders are overbearing despots. This comes from arrogance and insecurity. Insecure leaders domineer people, crushing the spirit of those under them. Pride is at the root of arrogant self-interest. Self-will is a big enemy for any pastor.
There is a bent in all of us to want to be bull-headed, stubborn. It is difficult to be married to a man who is always right, who has his mind made up without openness to the facts—the sort of man who says, “Don’t confuse me with the facts. I am going to have my own way.” There is not a lot of peace in a house like that. It is difficult to live with a person who is rigid in personality.
