1 Timothy 4 - But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will
[a]fall
away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of
demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their
own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid
marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be
gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For
everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is
received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the
word of God and prayer.6 In pointing out these things to the
brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on
the words of the faith and of the [b]sound
doctrine which you have been following. 7 But [c]have
nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand,
discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily
discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all
things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to
come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full
acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because
we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men,
especially of believers.11 [d]Prescribe
and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your
youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show
yourself an example [e]of
those who believe. 13 Until I come, give attention to the
public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do
not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through
prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the [f]presbytery.
15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that
your progress will be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to
yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this
you will [g]ensure
salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
1 Timothy is a letter written from the Apostle Paul to Timothy, his friend, his student, a fellow Christian who was pastoring the church at Ephesus. Paul wrote this letter to help Timothy with some of the trials that the church at Ephesus was facing, to help other Christians to remember what they should be doing and how they should be doing it, and it has become an incredibly important scriptural resource for us.
The very first verse talks about how in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits. There are false teachers and false doctrines out there today. We must be able to avoid those pitfalls. It’s easy to spot cults and false religions if you go to the Word of God and compare what they are teaching and preaching. If it’s not in God’s Word, it’s not the truth. The more we learn the truth about the Word of God, the easier it is to spot fakes. The American Banking Association trains its tellers by having them handle real, authentic money every day, day after day, until it is so ingrained in their mind, in their sense of touch, in their sense of smell, that a counterfeit would stand out like a sore thumb. They don’t handle the false items to know the truth, they handle the real thing until a fake can be spotted immediately.
As Christians it is our responsibility to believe and know the Word is true. We need to get in the Word and know it inside and out, we need to know the truth and avoid the untruth. If ever you are in doubt, fact check what you’re hearing with what’s in the Word of God.
Paul Brow, Haven of Rest
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