Today’s Bible reading is 1 Timothy chapter 4
(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)
Where does false teaching come from? It originates from deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons. The Holy Spirit warns the church that in the last days some will depart from the faith paying attention to seducing spirits. The result of bad beliefs is bad behavior. Seductive doctrines lead to duplicity and a seared conscious. To protect God’s church from hypocrisy and error God calls and equips spiritual leaders. Timothy was one of those leaders. He was led of the Lord to serve as pastor of the church at Ephesus. God spoke to Timothy through the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:6-7, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.” Two things that spiritual leaders today learn from Timothy on how to be good ministers, and help the church to have victory in days of apostasy and demonic assault. First, good ministers must faithfully preach and teach God’s Word and expound the Scriptures. Second, good ministers must focus on living godly and pure lives as examples to the people they minister to. Preach truth to your people, and practice truth before your people so they may see your spiritual growth and be inclined to do the same.
Prayer: “Lord, we ask You to raise up spiritual leaders who will love preaching and who will faithfully proclaim Your Word, and who will pursue godliness above all else. In Jesus name. Amen.”
Randy J. McPheron
T.H.E.M. 