We live in a day when there is a crying need for Christians to view themselves as leaders, to influence others for Christ. 1 Timothy 6:11–13 contains 5 leadership principles from Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) to Timothy and for us.

Good leaders for Christ are not born leaders, they acquire the skills of leadership Christ wants for them with the help of the Holy Spirit, following God’s commands for their lives. If you want to influence others for Christ, learn and obey these commands.

1. Flee: “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things” (v.11a)

A leader knows what to flee from or avoid. This is an action that will constantly and consistently need to be applied; at any moment, you might be called upon to flee. Like Joseph with Potiphar’s wife, there are some things every one of us should be running away from as fast as we can go.

Verses 9–10 provide the specific context for “these things”: some in Ephesus desired to get rich and so had wandered from the Christian faith. Run away as fast as you can from the money-centred life! If you fall in love with ease, luxury, and the trappings of money, you become useless for the gospel. People can see that it is not Christ we live for, but we live to indulge the flesh.

2. Pursue: “Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” (v.11b)

For any man or woman of God, there are not only things that we need to run from, but things we need to run to. And just like fleeing, this also continues for a lifetime.

Paul mentions 6 very specific virtues to pursue:

i. Righteousness. Do what is right. Always pursue knowing the commands of God to know what God requires of us and to do it.
ii. Godliness. Have a consistent lifestyle that arises from correct doctrine. Have a daily life of piety and reverence to God.
iii. Faith. Have complete confidence in God. Don’t panic; trust Him no matter what you are facing.
iv. Love. We act not out of our own interests, but the interests of others. Love governs our relationships both with God and others.
v. Steadfastness or endurance. Hang in there for the long haul! This is the virtue of the person who is not a quitter.
vi. Gentleness. This speaks to how we treat others: gently!

How easy it is to stop pursing these things and substitute other goals and objectives in our lives.

3. Fight: “Fight the good fight of the faith.” (v.12a)

You are engaged in a battle to win. The word “fight” comes from the world of athletic contests and military battles. If you are to win, it will require a great struggle.

The struggle that Timothy was engaged in was for the one truth of the gospel. Every Christian leader is always struggling against false teaching, for Satan always introduces half-truths and all-out-lies to subvert the gospel and destroy people’s faith.

It is no accident that the last word in verse 11 is “gentleness”, and the first word in verse 12 is “fight”. Even while we fight, we are not quarrelsome people! We are strong, but not bullies. We are certain about the truth, but not arrogant. Learn to share and defend your faith in this way.

4. Hold on: “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (v.12b)

Hold on to the things that God has promised. Take hold of eternal life. Appropriate it. Grasp the truth of salvation and hang on for all you’re worth! Like Timothy, we are to remember what God has promised when things get rough.

5. Obey: “Keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v.14a)

Since we are nearing the end of 1 Timothy, I think Paul is referring to everything he’s commanded as if they’re all one. Be a faithful minister of the gospel. Stay put when it is hard. Use the gifts God has given you. Remain pure. Teach the sure word of God. Be faithful to the end. If you obey, it will become apparent that the commands of God are life, and they are good.

If you take seriously these 5 commands, you will notice how badly you are doing and will need to rely on the Holy Spirit to help you, but as the Holy Spirit helps you, you will find that your life is taking on the dimension of leadership.

God’s call is for mature Christian leaders to influence others — to be role models of what the life of godliness is all about. If you are a new believer, look for such an influence. If you have matured, be that kind of influence so that a new generation may believe and be found faithful.