READ: 1 Samuel 2:22-36
That each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor (being available for God’s purpose and separated from things profane).
1 Thessalonians 4:4 (AMP)
All ministers will be tempted with women and money. A novice must quickly learn how to overcome temptations from women and money. The sons of Eli were two young men who were tempted to fall with the numerous beautiful women that came around to the tabernacle. They were new in the ministry and completely succumbed to the temptation of misusing the offerings and misusing the women.
For many years, Eli had interacted with the beautiful women but had not abused or misused them. Eli had been exposed to huge offerings throughout his ministry. The sons of Eli did not bother to find out from their father how he was able to stay pure for so many years. The Bible teaches that everyone should develop a strategy to control and to keep himself in holiness.
Novices must take time to humbly understudy the fathers who through faith and patience have inherited the promises of God in ministry. Unfortunately, many novices simply criticize fathers, and thereby are blinded to the secrets and wisdom of their fathers. When a child criticizes and attacks his father, the ravens of the air pluck out his eyes. The plucking out of the eyes causes blindness!
Indeed, many young ministers are blinded because spiritual and demonic ravens have inflicted blindness on them. The blindness of a son causes him to become reckless, hasty, unrestrained and self-destructive.
It is important to grow up and learn the wisdom of God through those whom God places just ahead of you. The sons of Eli could have had a different future. They would have borne much fruit and been listed among the heroes of the Bible. Instead, they received one of the most debilitating and withering curses ever recorded.