January 4, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Timothy? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Timothy 4 (NIV)
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.……Continue Reading
”Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.“
1 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV
God’s Word commands us to train ourselves for godliness. Following Jesus doesn’t just happen…it requires training, an active participation in the conforming process of sanctification. I love this quote from A.W. Tozer…”We get what we want, so our spiritual condition perfectly corresponds to the intensity of our desire.” Seems to correspond to James 2:17! We know it is not our works that save us…but if we have been saved, our lives will bear witness to that change! May we all seek God’s face and may His light shine through us!
1 Timothy 4
1 Timothy 4
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 4 “train yourself to be Godly”
Paul is telling Timothy to be aware of false doctrine and teachings, they want to deceive people, even today churches will teach falsely to please people they twist the words of scripture so they hear what they want to hear instead of the truth of who God is and how Good he is.
Everything God created is good. We need to be in his word daily and be thankful for all the good gifts God has given us, especially the gift of his son!
Paul is giving instructions and warnings to Timothy and the church to avoid those things or teachers that go against the teaching of the word of God. But instead train oneself in godliness which comes through Christ. Not a form of godliness which Jesus rebuked when He described the Pharisees but one that is formed by having that living relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Of course reading and studying the word of God and prayer. And then applying it all to one`s life. Seek and Serve Him. May He bless us all.
Can’t help but every time I read this in verse 3. I think of the Catholic Church Who forbid certain foods to be eaten on certain days. On certain times during the year. And i personally know people who have been divorced and they were not granted an annulment. So they are still single 50 years later. An annulment had a certain price $$$$ in order to be active. Imagine that. As if not eating certain foods or not remarrying. Is going to make you more spiritual. There again looking horizontal and not vertical. Pride!! Timothy was not a self ordained leader as he was commissioned by prophecy and laying on of hands by elders. So important as church leaders. To seek counsel with each other and to be held accountable. To use your spiritual gifts. We exercise to keep our body toned. What gifts has God given you?? Don’t let them waste away by not using. As a body. We need all gifts to be used to strengthen us
Paul is giving Timothy some clear warnings and instructions. He encourages him to persevere in what he has taught him and also gives some warnings about what he will encounter as Christ’s minister.
He tells him especially to doctrine. I think we should be very careful about what we label as “doctrine” and that we don’t replace God’s word with a manmade formula and call it doctrine. Paul mentions doctrine 3 times in this chapter:
Doctrine of demons – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy…..”
Doctrine of faith and thanksgiving (particularly clearing up the false doctrine with regard to marriage and meat) –
For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
Doctrine of example – in belief, speech, behavior, love, spirit, faith, and purity (in behavior and thought.) Reading of the word and applying it.
“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
That is an interesting word-study, to look up the word doctrine and see what it is and what it is not.
1 Timothy 4
1 Timothy 5
Being godly takes training such as directing our minds to think those things that are in line with the truth of God. Keeping our bodies in shape is beneficial for the present time, but keeping ourselves trained for godliness is beneficial for all eternity. And we should be intentional about setting an example for all the people we come in contact with, as believers, in what we say, how we act, how we love, in how we display our faith in God and in keeping our lives pure.
Paul gives some personal instruction to Timothy, both looking out for what is wrong and what he should promote as right. All generations of believers have seen a deterioration in regards to the truth, but it is not hard to believe that what we are seeing in our day is reflective of what Paul warns about here. But our desire for, conviction of and adherence to the truth should never waiver because of what others say about it. We have put our hope in the living God and recognize that pursuing Him and growing in Spirt is far more important than how we might take care of our health. We should be good stewards of that as well, but we should seek to strengthen what is inside for more than we strengthen what is outside. Even though the rest of Paul’s instructions here are most applicable to those who teach, there is a point for all of us to be aware of and function in our spiritual gifts. We are to be diligent to function in them and devoted to their exercise. Because when we do, we and those around us will be benefitted. And that is just how God intended church to be. Each helping each other to grow in spiritual capacity, being godly ourselves as we encourage others to be godly as well.
We have become people that are so in tune with diet and exercise and the importance of staying physically healthy. We are more conscious than ever about ways to stay healthy but do we put that kind of effort into our spiritual well being. Do we know the things to avoid that will pervert our thinking. do we spend time in the Word to grow in our knowledge. Do we slow down and meditate on the things of God. Clearly it is important to God so it should be important to us as well!
“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.”