1 Timothy 4
1 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;
We're there! So many have gone off their own ways and doctrines of evil. Most of the pastors of today have joined them. People refuse to even look up a Word to seek Truth.
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
"Hypocrisy" = claiming something is of God, when in fact it goes completely against God's Word. The searing comes from satan. They can't tell the difference between what is from God, and what is of satan.
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
I want this verse to stay within context. "Forbidding to marry" has to do with widowhood. Paul talked about this in 1 Corinthians 7 concerning marriage: If you are going to teach God's Word, I would rather that you stayed single as I am. Though it is better that you marry, than to burn with desire. Todays people "live together" just to pretend they're a couple. Without God, you are dead. As far as "created to be received" these are the things we should eat for good health. God created things to eat and He created things that eat dead things. The food laws stand today, just as they always have. This has no bearing on your soul, but it does on your life span.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
Remember, "which God hath created to be received" = certain creature are for certain things. Thank God for them all. Genesis 1:25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
Gods Word lets us know exactly what we are to eat and what is not to be eaten. The Truth is sanctified or made known by His letter to us, The Bible.
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.
A minister of Christ, you don't need to be behind a pulpit, we are to be good ministers on the job, in our families, or wherever we walk. The Truth of God's Word will nourish you on a solid foundation to where you will know good from evil, right from wrong, yes from no. Are you being fed?
7 But refuse profane and
old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
You can't know unless you study and you can't follow each day unless you
know.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth
little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life
that now is, and of that which is to come.
The things of the flesh are just flesh, but what we do
for others is gain for our soul today and forever. You can run and lift weights building yourself to have
endurance and strength in your life, but isn't it more important to gain
wisdom and strength that helps you overcome the things of the world and overcome the death your body is about to have? Isn't it more important to help
someone that has trouble doing the things that come easy to you, but difficult
to them. When we spend less time on us, others benefit greatly. Blessings flow
for both.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and
suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all
men, specially of those that believe.
As Christians we grow in the meat of The Word to where
those that come against us have no bearing on the way we go. Our faith is our
focus. The Truth gives peace. Those that
won't give the time to seek more than salvation, won't be able to have this
peace of mind The Meat of God's Word provides. This is why The Word is given to
us. That we may grow into the adults we should be. Most churches won't feed you
more than milk as to keep you in bondage. They want you to keep running to
them, instead of what God has given you.
11 These things command and teach.
It's important to teach what to look out for that's
good and bad. So many are mislead into the traps of the world, even in their
"churches" today. Let's face it!
Most are just gathering places anymore and lack The Truth to feed you. This
is why it's important you study for yourself. 2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.
12 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.
Paul is telling Timothy not to let the elders put
you down because of your age. There are 6 year old children that know more about
Gods Word than many adults. Be that example and know what you're talking about before you open your mouth. Help others
if you tell others to help, showing that charity only Christians have. Show
others The Spirit that lives in you while having strength in your faith,
staying pure of the evil in this world.
13 Till I come, give attendance to
reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
It's God's Word that is to be taught. We are to speak
it clearly with understanding and common sense that God has given us. Never
apologize for the truth you are teaching. I
have lost more friends and family by speaking The Truth then the friends and family I would gain by going with them in their ways of the world. So be
it! Our focus should be on the eternity / spirit and never the earthly /
flesh.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in
thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the
presbytery.
This was when the elders laid hands on a person as to
ordaining them to a ministry. People don't call others to be Pastors, God does!
15 Meditate upon these things; give
thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
If you are going to teach then give it all the way or
not at all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto
the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself,
and them that hear thee.
When we get to the point of understanding God's Word
for ourselves, thats when we should pass that teaching on to others. Their lives
will be blessed just as yours and mine are in our understanding of The Truth.
Those that reject that seed will just have to
be held as accountable as you are in giving it to them. In the end comes reward
or punishment. It's for each of us to chose what we want.
Keep giving! †