1 Timothy 4 - 3.19.24

SCRIPTURE:  1 Timothy 4:1-5 “ Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciousness are seared.  They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.  For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.”

OBSERVATION:  Paul dealt with the two false religions that were being taught in Ephesus; abstaining from marriage and abstaining from certain foods.  These false doctrines came from deceitful spirits.  These rules made them appear to be self disciplined and righteous, but these strict disciplines weren’t able to erase their sins! The discipline that was demanded by the false teachers seemed good, and by following these religious rules, it made them appear moral, but religious rules cannot change a person’s heart, only following Jesus can do that!

APPLICATION:  My heart isn’t changed by being a rule follower, but by letting Jesus live in me, so that HE can shape me into what I should be. 

PRAYER:  I pray I will set my heart on things above, and that I will strive to put God’s priorities into practice daily. I pray I will rely on the Holy Spirit to help me program my mind with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy, and that I will live a life that is nourished on the truths of God’s Word and is pleasing to Him.   

- Robin Orefice