Our Reading: 1 Timothy 4
In
this writing of Paul to Timothy, he warns him about the importance of being
disciplined and vigilant to keep his heart focused on Christ so that his impact
on others is that of a good servant. In contrast, he warns against
false teachers who lead believers away from their faith. He describes them as
having a “seared conscience”.
What
does it mean to have a “seared conscience”? Just as meat is seared in a pan and
forms a thick, hard crust on the outer surface, our hearts can be seared and
become so hardened that they can not even detect the conviction of sin. How
does this happen?
“The
more a person suppresses (ignores) the voice of the Spirit, the harder it is
for the Spirit of God to speak to them about their sin. If this continues, the
conscience will become like a callous on a hand…it will not feel anything
anymore. By tuning out the Spirit of God, we are making it harder each time for
the Spirit of God to speak to us. In time, the conscience will be so seared
that we cannot even hear the Spirit anymore, and that will surely bring
disaster.” (Jack Wellman).
Paul
gives Timothy some good advice that we all can benefit from. To keep
our hearts attentive to hearing God’s voice, knowing truth and being teachable,
we have to be intentional about our behaviors and the focus of our priorities.
We also have to be vigilant to not be influenced by deceit and untruthful
teachings. This includes the messages we are bombarded with everyday in the
world around us.
“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.”(7-8)
This
tells us that we can’t just do nothing and expect to grow spiritually.
Spiritual health involves right choices about what we feed our minds and
exercising God’s truths in daily application. If we sit in church and hear a
message from God’s Word but don’t incorporate that into the rest of the week,
what is the benefit to our spiritual well being? Just as we keep a
certain weight or body tone or healthy immune system in mind as motivation to
eat right and exercise, we should keep goals in mind to motivate our spiritual
habits as well.
“For
to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God,
who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”(10)
It’s
not uncommon when you start to pursue spiritual growth, that the enemy puts
doubts and obstacles in your pathway to hinder you or discourage you. For
Timothy, who was trying to be a spiritual leader, his young age was a potential
source of difficulty, but Paul encouraged him to not allow that to impede him
but to be devoted regardless.
“Let
no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech,
in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the
public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.”(12-13)
We
also should realize that others watch our behaviors and motivations which means
our sphere of influence in the world is important. We should strive through the
enablement of God’s spirit ( for we can not do it in our own flesh) to be good
examples through our speech, conduct, faith and purity as well. Our devotion,
should also include being in God’s Word so we know truth and our hearts remain
soft and yielding. As opportunity presents itself, we can then teach and
encourage others.
Paul
lists some important attributes of discipline: Practice, Immersion, and Persistence.
“Practice
these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep
a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing
you will save both yourself and your hearers.”(15-16)
I
challenge you today to examine what you find yourself most immersed in for it
will reveal a lot about your spiritual health and the condition of your heart.
Is your heart becoming seared with bitterness, selfishness, self-seeking, or
indifference. Or is your heart remaining soft as it seeks, yields and immerses
its self in the love of God?
