Leaders must be alert to the needs of those they serve and also to the dangers that surround believers in the world. The OT teaching on watchmen provides an indication of the importance of watchfulness and the responsibility of those called to be watchful.
Leaders are required to be watchful
Ezekiel 3:17 See also Ezekiel 33:7–9; John 21:16
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
They are accountable to God
Ezekiel 3:18 See also Mark 13:34–35; Hebrews 13:17
If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.
They must warn against false teachers
Acts 20:31 Elders are called overseers in Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2. See also John 10:1–3; Acts 20:29; 2 Timothy 4:2–5; Titus 1:9–11
Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Examples of leaders' warnings to churches
1 Corinthians 4:14 See also Romans 16:17; Galatians 5:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; Titus 3:10; Revelation 22:18
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
Leaders' watchfulness in prayer
Isaiah 62:6–7 See also 1 Samuel 12:23; Romans 1:9–10; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:11
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
Leaders need to watch over their own lives
Acts 20:28 See also Mark 14:29–30; 1 Timothy 3:2–7, 1 Timothy 4:15–16; Titus 1:6–8; James 3:1; 3 John 1:9–10
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
Watchmen sometimes fail to be watchful
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.