Do Not Imitate What Is Evil

The elder says he wrote to the church about supporting the workers, but Diotrephes will not accept his instruction. The reason is named plainly: Diotrephes loves to be first.

The desire for first place becomes destructive. Diotrephes spreads malicious slander, refuses to welcome the brothers, prevents those who want to welcome them, and puts some people out of the church. His ambition is not a private feeling. It controls how he speaks, whom he receives, and who is allowed to belong.

The elder says that if he comes, he will call attention to what Diotrephes is doing. Public harm sometimes requires public correction. The goal is not humiliation for entertainment. It is to stop slander and protect people who are being excluded for doing good.

Gaius is told not to imitate what is evil but what is good. The person who does good is of God; the person who does evil has not seen God. This is a call to choose a model carefully. A confident leader is not automatically a faithful leader.

Demetrius provides a different example. Everyone speaks well of him, the truth itself testifies for him, and the elder also testifies for him. His reputation is not based on self-promotion. It is confirmed by the community, by the truth, and by a trustworthy witness.

Jesus tells His disciples that Gentile rulers use authority to dominate, but His followers must become servants. Philippians points to Christ's humility rather than grasping. 3 John exposes leadership that has moved in the opposite direction.

Families can teach children to recognize the difference between influence and control. Good leaders welcome truth, faithful people, and correction. They do not need everyone else to disappear so they can remain first.