Paul begins Chapter Four by warning Timothy (and us as well) of the false teachings that would occur in later times. Being vigilant in these latter days is something that should concern all followers of Christ Jesus – in every age. He identifies theses false teachings as demonic teachings. We are not to be fooled – false teaching is demonic, straight from Hell coming to us through deceptive teachers as Paul states.
Paul warns that there would be a great departure from the truth and the increasing apostasy would be made more and more manifest as the years wore on until eventually there would be a complete turning from the faith. Amazingly, men will accept the antichrist over the Christ of God.
Puritan William Gurnall describes ignorance in the following way: “Ignorance above other sins enslaves a soul to Satan… First, ignorance opens the door for Satan to enter in with his troops of lusts. Where the watch is blind, the city is soon taken…Second, it locks it up in the soul, and the soul in it. Such a one lies in Satan’s inner dungeon, where no lights of conviction comes…Third, it shuts out the means of recovery. Friends and ministers stands without, and cannot help the creature.”
It is a dire thing for one’s conscience to be seared as with a hot iron. Never dabble in the darkness of the devils domain. Examine everything by the light of the Word and make it a goal to know God’s Truth.
Looking back over Christianity’s history since Paul’s day there have been myriads of false teachings. They were rampant in the first century and they continue to be rampant now. To be sure, throughout the centuries there has been an ever increasing departure from the simplicity of the gospel. As Satan would have it, all kinds of false systems in the past as well as the present have reared their ugly heads causing many to believe that the false teaching was the real thing and the Truth of God was heresy. This, of course, should not come as a surprise to us rather as a warning. Satan is always seeking to get believers to deny the goodness of God and distort the Word of God. Speaking of the end times Jesus told us:
20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. Mark 13:20-23 (NIV)
Jude adding:
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 1:17-21 (NIV)
Make no mistake about it, God is after our hearts. He longs for our full devotion – both for our good and His glory. By the way, His gory is revealed in our delight in Him. As He rightly wins our affections He treads on the enemy. If He has captivated our hearts and we somewhat realize a glimmer of the extent of His love for us, we can fully trust Him with our lives. Paul tells us in Romans:
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
“Few delights can equal the mere presence of One whom we fully trust.” George McDonald
Paul begins by telling us the “Spirit clearly says”. Indeed, all true prophecy is by the Holy Spirit. It is He who foresees the future. It is not given to man to do this. Men may guess what the future may be, and sometimes may even guess correctly, but no man can speak authoritatively as to the future. Scripture states man does not even know what the day will bring forth:
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)
Therefore, when Paul says the “Spirit clearly says” we should take heed and be quick to listen. And what does the Spirit tell us: some will abandon the faith following deceiving spirits coming through hypocritical liars whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. This is Satan’s standard operating procedure. Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians:
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV)
Paul also tells us in Ephesians:
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. Ephesians 4:17-19 (NIV)
Make no mistake about it, sin spirals downward always, it never remains the same. So how are we to wait on His return?
According to Paul’s teaching the situation will degenerate as Christ’s return approaches. We are to be careful who we listen to and always take what we hear back to God’s Word to make sure it is in agreement before we make it a core value in our belief system. Kindly respond to the person telling you what they claim to be truth: “Where exactly do you find that in God’s Word?” This isn’t to be rude rather it is to be earnestly asking. Again, being vigilant in these “later days” is something that should concern every follower of Christ. In this particular case, Paul was writing about these false teachers who were preaching the abstention of marriage as well as certain foods which Paul adds God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the Truth. Matter itself is not inherently evil. Paul echoes God’s own verdict of creation:
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:31 (NIV)
Later in 1 Timothy 6 Paul tells us:
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
We are never to accept what God says is good as bad. Nothing is to be rejected. Of course man can abuse (and often does abuse) what God has created getting out of balance with gluttony and greed, etc. It is important to keep our lives in check. The man or woman who fears God will avoid all extremes. Paul tells us in Romans:
14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. 15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Romans 14:13-18 (NIV)
In light of the Scriptures, a Christian recognizes God’s good hand behind the things provided and offers thanksgiving to the Lord. In this way the ordinary things so easily taken for granted become sanctified as occasions for worship and praise. Thanking Him for such things as strawberries in the spring, hot coffee in the morning and fresh water to drink helps me to focus on the Giver of every good and perfect gift. I encourage you all to start a thanksgiving book. It helps us develop attitudes of gratitude rather than being grumblers and complainers.
“Reflect on your present blessings of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Charles Dickens
Next Paul exhorts Timothy to point these things out and to pass along these same warnings to others in the church as the church is to be God’s repository and guardian of the Truth. Paul tells Timothy to hold to the truth and to teach with authority. Believers have the Truth and we should not be afraid to share it. One of the works of a good minister of Christ Jesus is that he is a faithful conduit of the Truth to other Christians. 2 Timothy states:
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)
Paul next urges Timothy to train himself to be godly because it had value for all things – both in the present life and the life to come. Godliness is genuine piety. We must all keep a close watch on our lives. Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a pastor used mightily by God in Scotland in the early 1800’s, is a great example for us in this regard. M’Cheyne died when he was only 30, and his gravestone reads as follows:
“Died in the 30th year of his age and the 7th year of his ministry, walking closely with God, an example for the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity, he ceased not day and night to labor and watch for souls.” M’Cheyne once said: “My people’s greatest need is my personal holiness.”
People need to see Christ fleshed out in us – to walk as Jesus walked as John tells us:
6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
As followers of sweet Jesus, it matters greatly how we live our lives. No one will live a truly pious life who neglects the means which God has given to us for this purpose. We have the Word of God at our fingertips which we are to study and make application through the power of His Spirit. We also need to take much time for prayer and never neglect that high privilege. And we must be faithful to testify to those who are unsaved – both through our words and our actions. To honor God in these things is to be exercised into godliness. People not only need to hear about Jesus, they need to see His life fleshed out in His followers. Again, this is only accomplished through His power for His glory. Believers are to spur one another on with lives of love and holiness. As Paul states, we are to watch our lives and doctrines closely giving ourselves wholly to them. Notice the order here – we are to be careful about our own inner and outward life, setting an example to others. Then we are to take heed to the Word (doctrine). We read in Ezra a good example of this:
10 For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. Ezra 7:10 (NIV)
Like Ezra we are to prepare our hearts and our minds. He desired to know the law of God, learning it not only through the head but also the heart which fleshes out to the hands. He was not going to teach others what he did not do himself. And God used and honored a man like that.
That is the way God does today as well. We discover Paul exhorting Timothy to be careful to live for God, to be a consistent, earnest minister of Christ, because in doing this he would both save himself and others from many snares and difficulties. So much better to learn in a classroom than on a field trip – Amen?? He would become a blessing in lieu of a curse to those whom he ministered to.
No one can live a godly life who has not received Christ as his own Savior. You cannot live a Christian life until you are born again. We simply do not have the ability apart from the indwelling Holy Spirit to live consistent godly lives. Nothing ever eternal will be done in the flesh as God never owns what mere flesh accomplishes. Jesus told us:
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
“No one who really wants to count for God can afford to play at Christianity. He must make it the great business of his life. Whether he is set apart for special ministry – as a missionary who is going to a foreign land, a laborer in the gospel in home fields, or whether he remains in business (or home) and seeks to witness for Christ there – he needs to give himself entirely to a life of devotion to the Lord.” H. A. Ironside
We must remember, every one of our lives is a mist—here for a moment and gone tomorrow (James 4:14). We all stand on the porch of eternity, so let’s pray that today we might live for what’s going to matter forever. So how are we living? Do we live in light of eternity? What we live is what we truly believe.
“The only way to get our values right is to see…not in the light of time but in the light of eternity.” William Barclay
“When the goodness of Christ and the character of Christ and the Word of Christ are evident in the church, people in the world will be drawn to Him. This is why we guard the Truth so people will be saved by it. This is why we live with purity so people see the difference Christ makes. This is why we train for godliness so people see in us the majesty of Christ. May everything we do draw people to our great Savior.” David Platt
These are Beth’s personal notes, due to this fact sources are not often stated.
