DAY #307: 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Once again, we see the warning from Paul about false teachers. The false teaching in Ephesus was no surprise; the betrayal of the gospel had been foreseen. Paul’s direct concern here was not just about the teachers themselves as much as for those who would be deceived by them.

The last times began with Christ’s resurrection and will continue until his return, when he will set up his Kingdom and judge all humanity. Jesus and the apostles forewarned us that during that interim, including the time period we live in, false teachers will abound—loving money and attention, distorting the truth, dividing believers, and causing many to go astray as they follow lying spirits and teachings that come from demons (Matthew 24:5; Romans 16:18; James 3:15)

There are those in the church who will turn away from the faith, even though they may appear to still be faithful believers. They pretend to be religious, but their consciences are dead. Paul had no patience for false teaching and no soft words for false teachers. He never said that the false teachers misunderstood the gospel or that they simply taught in error. Rather, they were hypocrites and liars, with their teaching coming from Satan himself. Satan deceives people by offering a clever imitation of the real thing.

The false teachers, perhaps under Jewish influence, gave stringent rules forbidding marriage and demanding abstinence from certain foods. Later, these teachings became part of what we know as Gnosticism—a belief that spirit is good, but the physical world is evil.

Thus, anything done for the body’s pleasure or to fulfill its needs (such as sex or eating) was considered evil. To be “good” and to achieve a higher spiritual state, a person must deny all evil, including natural physical desires. Their demands made the false teachers appear self-disciplined and righteous. But their strict disciplines for the body could not remove sin.

Paul emphasized the absurdity of the false teachings by calling them godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Timothy needed to understand the false teaching in order to fight it effectively with the truth, but then he was to not waste time on it. Instead, he should spend his time and energy in training himself for spiritual fitness.

Paul often borrowed athletic words to emphasize the need for spiritual training. “Training” emphasizes the point that spiritual development does not happen by chance. An athlete is focused and committed, constantly training, refusing to let up, always striving. Believers must have the same focus and commitment, refusing to be sidetracked by wrong teaching.

While Timothy could not control anyone’s prejudice about his age, but he was not to be intimidated. Instead, he should be an example to all believers. He must not give anyone ammunition to use his youthfulness against him. Timothy’s character, and not his age, would determine his authority to lead. Timothy was to set the example in the following areas;

Love—When we say the right words and live the right way but lack love, we are demonstrating a legalistic view of God’s expectations (1 Corinthians 13:1-7). After words and actions have had their say, love makes the message ring true or false.

Faith—Sooner or later, people around us will need to understand what motivates our speech, life, and love. A genuine combination of the above will present to others a way of life filled with hope. Faith finally speaks clearly when speech, life, and love have created a hearing.

Purity—Paul ended this list with a rarely used term for virtue and chastity. As used here, the word implies integrity and consistency and reinforces the entire list. Perhaps Paul even had the idea of transparency and authenticity in mind.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)

Question: If You Were Leaving People You Loved, People You Had Poured Your Life Into — Discipled or Mentored - What Last Things Would You Tell Them To Insure That They Would Continue Walking With Christ? Here in 1 Timothy 4, we see the answer;


#1. Don’t be caught off guard by false teaching!

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1

ANTIDOTE: John 8:31-32 - Know the truth.


#2. Don’t lose sight of what's most important in life.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8


ANTIDOTE: Matthew 6:33 & 1 Samuel 16:7 - Always put God first in your life.


#3. Set an example for everybody.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12


ANTIDOTE: Isaiah 40:28-31 & Galatians 6:9 - Don't ever give up or grow weary.


1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Who will you pass these truths onto?