S) "1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,"
1 Timothy 4:1 (NASB)
O) After the end of chapter 3, reminding Timothy of what sound doctrine should be, Paul goes forward to warn against false teachers. That they will fall away from sound teaching should have been no surprise, since the Jews saw that happen over and over in their history with God. While there were prophesies in the Old Testament, that only a remnant would be saved (and only a remnant did believe in Christ), I don't think that's the implication of this verse. The key words of "later times" and "the faith," seem to imply this is a warning specifically for the church, for the body of Christ. We see other warnings in the New Testament to guard against apostasy, and this seems to be affirming those later-times writings (see 2 Thessalonians 2:3), because the letters to Timothy were much later. The fact that false teaching persisted, even to this day, should be no surprise. That is the fallen nature of broken people, refusing to submit to authority.
A) The draw to false doctrine, I suppose, really comes down to two things. A disregard for truth and an aversion for difficulty. If I want to be sure I am never fooled, I must be sure about these two things. First, I must love the truth. I must love and desire to know, what the Bible actually says. It must be important to me, I must value it. Second, I must be humble enough to accept that truth is not always convenient or easy. I need to humbly submit myself to the authority of Scripture. At the same time, I cannot have my allegiance to man or tradition. Wise counsel and teaching from others can all be very, very good. However, I must always approach teaching and advise from others with the proper priority, that Scripture supersedes them. There's a very real sense in which I must remain skeptical, especially about "new" ideas or interpretations of our historical faith. I must lean on the Holy Spirit, be in constant prayer, have a desire to know the truth, and a humility to submit myself to the authority of the Bible.
P) Father, thank You for giving me a heart for the truth. There is a lot of grace, simply in the personality You have given me, and I want to remain thankful for that. Any wisdom I have started with You giving it to me. Any understanding I have came because of Your Spirit giving me counsel. Thank You for that grace. Open my eyes and ears, Lord, that I may discern between good and bad doctrine. Help me to strive to know You better, that I may strengthen my theology. Help me to be faithful, in keeping sound doctrine and sharing the truth. Help me to lead by example, first with my family, teaching the truth with grace and love. Please, by whatever means necessary, never let me be deceived by false doctrines or deceitful teachings. I know that ultimately, those are traps and schemes laid by the enemy, and I never want to play into his goals. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A) The draw to false doctrine, I suppose, really comes down to two things. A disregard for truth and an aversion for difficulty. If I want to be sure I am never fooled, I must be sure about these two things. First, I must love the truth. I must love and desire to know, what the Bible actually says. It must be important to me, I must value it. Second, I must be humble enough to accept that truth is not always convenient or easy. I need to humbly submit myself to the authority of Scripture. At the same time, I cannot have my allegiance to man or tradition. Wise counsel and teaching from others can all be very, very good. However, I must always approach teaching and advise from others with the proper priority, that Scripture supersedes them. There's a very real sense in which I must remain skeptical, especially about "new" ideas or interpretations of our historical faith. I must lean on the Holy Spirit, be in constant prayer, have a desire to know the truth, and a humility to submit myself to the authority of the Bible.
P) Father, thank You for giving me a heart for the truth. There is a lot of grace, simply in the personality You have given me, and I want to remain thankful for that. Any wisdom I have started with You giving it to me. Any understanding I have came because of Your Spirit giving me counsel. Thank You for that grace. Open my eyes and ears, Lord, that I may discern between good and bad doctrine. Help me to strive to know You better, that I may strengthen my theology. Help me to be faithful, in keeping sound doctrine and sharing the truth. Help me to lead by example, first with my family, teaching the truth with grace and love. Please, by whatever means necessary, never let me be deceived by false doctrines or deceitful teachings. I know that ultimately, those are traps and schemes laid by the enemy, and I never want to play into his goals. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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