Watch Yourself and the Teaching
The lecture of His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about the importance for the servant to care for his spiritual self before caring for his service or teaching others. He explains that a person may appear successful in service while losing himself if he neglects his inner life and his relationship with God.
The Main Idea
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III focuses on the saying of Saint Paul the Apostle: “Watch yourself and the teaching and continue in them,” explaining that the holy soul is the foundation of correct teaching, and that a person teaches through his life and example more than through words only.
The Spiritual and Educational Dimension
The teaching emphasizes that the true servant must live a life of repentance, humility, and continuous spiritual growth, and should not neglect worship, prayer, and meditation while being occupied with service. He also warns against pride, judging others, and depending on personal opinion instead of the sound teaching of the Church.
Spiritual Examples
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III presented examples of people who served but lost themselves because of pride or love of the world, such as the elder son, Demas, and Nicolas the deacon. He explained that service does not guarantee salvation if a person does not preserve the purity of his heart and his humility.
A Call to Continue in Discipleship
He also confirmed that the servant must always remain a disciple who learns and listens, and should not think that he has become a teacher above everyone. Listening, humility, and continuous discipleship protect the person from falling and from false teaching.
Correct Teaching
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explained that teaching must be according to the faith of the Church and its upright teaching, not according to personal ideas or opinions. Because error in teaching together with pride may lead to stubbornness, heresies, and deviation from the true faith.
The General Message
The main message of the lecture is that the salvation of the soul and union with God are more important than any service or position, and that the true servant is the one who first lives what he teaches to others and keeps his heart in humility and continuous repentance.
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