Two paragraphs in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus give us a powerful profile for testing our maturity levels in Christ (1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-10). The following list depicts spiritual qualifications from both letters:

• Overall spiritual maturity (a well-rounded man)
• Above reproach (a man of good reputation)
• The husband of one wife (morally pure/faithful)
• Temperate (balanced in words and actions)
• Prudent (wise and humble)
• Respectable (good role model)
• Hospitable (unselfish and generous)
• Able to teach (communicates sensitively in a non-threatening and non-defensive manner)
• Not addicted to wine (not addicted to substances)
• Not self-willed (not self-centered and controlling)
• Not quick-tempered (void of anger that becomes sinful)
• Not pugnacious (not abusive)
• Gentle (sensitive, loving and kind)
• Peaceable (non-argumentative and non-divisive)
• Free from the love of money (non-materialistic)
• Manages his own household well (a good husband and father)
• Loving what is good (pursues godly activities)
• Just (wise, discerning, non-prejudiced and fair)
• Devout (holy, devoted to God)
• Self-controlled (disciplined)

When you look at the list of spiritual qualifications in Paul’s two letters, you might conclude that Paul was exclusively outlining qualifications for men who serve in pastoral and teaching positions in the Church. Not so! While Paul was outlining criteria for selecting leaders, he was in essence saying, “Timothy, if a man wants to become a spiritual leader, that’s great. Just make sure he’s a mature man, and here’s how you can determine it he measures up to God’s standards as a Christian.”

Taken from Gene Getz’s book The Measure of a Man: Twenty Attributes of a Godly Man