Written ~ 10-25-2024
Read 1 Timothy Chapter Four
1 Timothy 4
In the first five verses of chapter four Paul gives us a warning to guard ourselves against false teachings. When we look over these five verses, it will be become really clear just how much the days we live in are filled with false ideologies. It’s a wonder that anyone can crawl out of the muck of the world and find Christ. Luckily, the light of Jesus is much brighter than what is false. His way will prevail. As we read these verses, think about what we see happening in our world today, not only that, think about ways you can guard yourself from being dragged into the ideas of deceptive spirits.
1 Timothy 4:1-5…
1 “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.”
I can confidently say that each of us have at least one family member or friend who does not yet know the Lord. These verses should cause alarm in your spirit because of the possibility they completely turn away from the Lord. If you haven’t already started, pray that you will be the type of person they need in their lives in order to see Jesus because of the way you live. Through your example they will have a better likelihood of coming to Christ. If your unsaved loved one does not have a godly example to follow, the warning in these verses is that they will turn away from the true faith and follow deceptive spirits. When we witness someone we love following a path that will only lead to death, it should cause an urgency within us and cause us to do whatever we can to redirect their steps! Satan will use people to teach a “gospel” that sounds really great but will be so full of falsities that it will cause many to never find the way to Christ.
Verse 4:3 sounds like today’s world, doesn’t it? “They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods.” But in reality, it’s that message that is wrong. God established marriage and He said it was good. What God created for food is good. And we are to thank God for what He provides and for everything He considers good. It is the abuse, gluttony or lust that warps those things God calls as good and when we indulge in that kind of abuse it leads to sinful behavior.
After Paul warns us to stay alert of any deception from the enemy and beware of the hypocritical lies Satan will use to deceive the non-believer, Paul changes the course of his letter and continues to give Timothy encouragement and instruction in the role he has taken on as lead Pastor.
1 Timothy 4:6-10…
6 “If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.”
In this exhortation given to Timothy, we should insert our names in there as well. Everything Paul tells Timothy to do are things we should be doing. The first thing Paul says in verse 4:6 is to “…explain these things…” What things need to be explained? Well, we need to explain to our brothers and sisters in Christ that there will always be false teachers who will try everything they can to lead people away from the message of Jesus. Some of their tactics will be subtle, so as a believer it will become even much more important that we are aware of the lies being told and what the Bible says is truth. When we are nourished by “feeding” on the Word of God and then we explain everything we have learned to our brothers and sisters, all of us will have a better chance of not being deceived. It’s a wonderful thought to be counted as a worthy servant of the Lord Jesus.
I find verse 4:7 to be really great advice and instruction from Paul… “Do not waste your time arguing (or entertaining) godless ideas (or myths) and old wives’ tales (or tall tales). Instead, train yourself to be godly.” Have you ever found yourself quoting little sayings that aren’t even Scriptural as your mantra to live by? Think of, for example, a fortune cookie or something your mom or your grandma always used to say… What Paul is reminding us here is to be careful what ideas or tales we are entertaining as truth, when what we should be training in is the truth of God’s Word and that’s it!
I especially find verse 4:8 to be of great comfort, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” For me, physical appearance and physical training were things that I put too much focus and too much pressure on myself to achieve “perfection.” It was becoming much more important to me to become physically fit than to make sure my spiritual life was fit. The amount of time I spent on my physical training and the time I spent on my spiritual training needed to be reversed. I had to remind myself that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and I need to take care of my body with regular exercise and good eating habits, but it could no longer be my singular focus. I was neglecting my spiritual training for what I thought was more important and that was how I looked on the outside. Paul talks at length in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 about how our bodies are just temporal tents we live in while here on earth. But when we get to heaven our earthly bodies will get an incredible upgrade! We will be given our heavenly bodies. Our goal here and now should be to train our hearts, minds and souls spiritually so we are strong, solid and immovable, and care for our physical bodies with good nutrition and exercise so we can ensure we are strong and healthy enough to do the work of the Lord.
Verse 4:10 says, “for our hope is in the living God…” This is why we must work hard. Even if we struggle and are put in the path of persecution and ridicule, we continue our spiritual training above all else.
In the last set of verses for this chapter Paul continues to provide encouragement for this young Pastor…
1 Timothy 4:11-16…
11 “Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.”
One of the things Paul says in verse 4:14 is for us not to neglect our spiritual gifts. If you are still unsure what your spiritual gift is, pray, ask the Lord to reveal what the Father and the Holy Spirit have given you, then walk confidently in that gift. As a reminder you can find the gifts given to us by the Father in Romans 12:6-8 and the gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11… look over those passages and begin asking the Lord in what way He wants you walk in faith.
In verse 4:16 it says, “Keep close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right…”
As believers we have all been taught the truth of Jesus Christ, it’s evident because we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We need to remind ourselves that a lot of people learn by example, that’s why Paul says to “keep close watch on how you live…” Children are particularly prone to learning by example, they watch and absorb EVERYTHING you do. So, when this verse says to watch how you live and to keep close watch on what you are teaching… it is important to be walking in the truths of the Bible, especially when children are watching your every move. The young adult culture right now seems to be heavily drawn to whatever anyone wants to do or wants to be, anything goes – there doesn’t seem to any limits. There is a sweeping attitude that is spreading throughout the world that you can believe what you want, dabble in astrology, crystals and witchcraft, experiment in your sexuality and have a rebellious spirit and not have any consequence come down on you. It clearly states in the Bible that each of those things are detestable to the Lord. If you, as a believer in Jesus Christ, are doing any of these things, or you are not following the truths given to us in the Bible, it becomes quite apparent that you are not keeping close watch on how you are living your life or on what you are teaching to those around you.
Paul was making some very serious points for Timothy to follow. We should as well. Give your complete attention to the gifts God and the Holy Spirit have given you. Throw yourself into the tasks God has commissioned every believer to do, by doing what the Word of God says and by training your spiritual life, everyone will see your progress as you grow and mature in the things of the Lord.
When we live wholeheartedly for the Lord, we show those around us an example of how to live godly lives. Then when we incorporate the gifts given to us by the Father and by the Holy Spirit, there will be increased evidence of the power we walk in. Remember it says in verse 4:14, “don’t neglect the spiritual gifts you received…” for the sake of your salvation learn to walk in the gifts you have been given.
Walk in the truths given to you by the Holy Spirit. Grow in your faith. Your example will show your progress! Your teaching of the Word of God will mirror the way you live – so keep close watch!
~AMEN~