"Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you."– I Tim 4:16
The only way to save others is to save yourself first, by taking heed unto the doctrine to correct you and me. We can't help people, until we're helped. And, if what we learn helps us, then under God, it will help those to whom He pleases.
But, the first ASPECT of ministry is being ministered unto. Therefore, don't read the bible to argue. Read the bible to be fed the gospel of Christ, and then feed others with what feeds you.
As we see sin in believers and sin in the world, and as our sin is conquered by the gospel, we'll have hope to preach. If we don't DEAL honestly with self, then we cannot minister unto others, for we won't know how to point them to Christ. We'll preach law and duty, but we won't preach believe, and we'll have no message of healing, because we're not healed. To deal with Christ personally is to enjoy SALVATION amidst the failures of life. Only Christ lived perfectly as our Redeemer, and while we desire perfection, we have a nature of sin (Rom 7:17-21). This isn't past tense sin that I've overgrown and no longer need Christ for, but this is the perpetual imperfection that brings us grief. Yet, as the pastor is healed, then healing is proclaimed to all the saints who struggle in what they must struggle with down here, which is sin in self and around us.
Therefore, fix yourself, brethren, and others shall be fixed. Heal yourself by Christ, and you'll have healing to preach. Serve in love, because you're persuaded that He loves you. And, don't consume yourself with fear. The blood of Jesus Christ CLEANSES us from sin: it isn't tears, prayers, duties, pleadings, or GRIEF that we must bear (I John 1:7). What He endured is SUFFICIENT for God to say, "You are free. There is no debt to pay, "Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin (Rom 4:7-8)."