Tag: 1 Timothy 4

Still Small Voice

Ezra 1-2

Psalm 85

1 Timothy 4

-devotion by Carla Hardy (MI)

In 1 Timothy 4:1, Paul warns us that in the later days, some people will abandon the faith by following “deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…” Today, in our culture heavily saturated with constant voices, this has never rung more true.

We are surrounded by and bombarded with information, opinions and relentless noise all day. It’s on our TVs, radios and phones. No matter the time of day, we can be assured that someone, somewhere, is talking. The TV channels & radio stations are seemingly endless, and our phones are gateways to millions of apps, a great number of which are social media in nature. We live in such a time when we no longer need to wonder long about a topic all on our own – we can simply tune into someone else’s take on it. We are a click away from all kinds of answers. We no longer are left to discern our own thoughts and opinions – they are shaped by the interpretations of others. We are influenced by millions of people in so many different ways. The important question is, my fellow brothers & sisters…whose voice will you listen to?

I’m not saying that every voice is bad. I’m not saying everyone has evil intentions. But what I AM saying is that the FIRST voice we need to heed, as followers of Jesus, is God’s. He has given us His holy spirit, His very word, and the privilege of talking to Him anytime we want to. These are gifts, and they are gifts to be used for discernment. We can discern, through these gifts, what is true, holy, and of God, and refuse to listen to voices that are not these things. In this way, we will not be led astray. We will not be counted among the people Paul mentions who have abandoned their faith. 

Reflection Questions:

  1. Do you find yourself listening to other voices on a daily basis? Has this habit shaped your opinions and thoughts – has it shaped you as a person? 
  2. If you answered the above with a round of yeses, do you believe the voices you listen to are of God? Or do you think they have led you away from Him? 
  3. Using your discernment, what are your next steps? What can you do, tangibly, to reshape your habits? How can you reclaim the voice of God in your life?

Prayer:

God, thank you for the gift of your holy spirit, for your word, and for the honor of being able to talk to you, the very creator of everything, anytime we want to. Help us to listen to you above all else. Help us to drown out the constant noise around us, and to tune in only to you. Amen.

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Set an Example

Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 21

Poetry: Psalm 100

New Testament: 1 Timothy 4

My name is Philip Kirkpatrick.  I’m 17, live in Minnesota, and attend Pine Grove Bible Church.  Some of you may have met me before and some of you may have no idea who I am.  I share this for two reasons, the first is to give those who don’t know me a little bit of background on who’s writing, and the second is because it relates to what I’m writing about.  As I was reading 1 Timothy 4, one of the verses stuck out to me.  That is verse 12,  the NIV version states:

‘Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.’

Considering my age and youthfulness, this verse stuck out to me.  Reading it over, it seems pretty straightforward to me.  I’m going to break this up into two parts.  The first part simply states that just because of someone’s young age, it doesn’t mean they should be looked down on.  Looking back now, I can think of times that I surprised my parents by having an answer they didn’t expect me to get, or knowing a big word and casually dropping it in the middle of a sentence.  Even today I find myself surprised at times by those younger than me when they find answers I didn’t expect or know things that I don’t.  Something to keep in mind here is that just because someone is young doesn’t mean that person doesn’t have good ideas. 

This also plays into something called a logical fallacy.  A logical fallacy is an illogical argument in its simplest form.  In this case, it’s an Ad Hominem fallacy.  This logical fallacy can be used to state that someone who may typically not have good ideas, someone young and inexperienced in this case, can’t come up with good ideas. The Ad Hominem Fallacy in other words; it is an attack against the person, not the argument or idea they are proposing.  So in the case of someone young, it’s saying you can’t dismiss it simply due to age.

The second part of this verse here tells us that we should set an example for others in 5 ways: speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.  I’m not going to dig into all those and explain them all.  Overall it can be defined by how we act.  We should act in a manner befitting a Christian.   

To the younger: set an example to the older on how to act. 

To the older: set an example to the younger on how to act. 

And to all, don’t look down on someone because of their age, listen, and consider what they have to say. 

-Philip Kirkpatrick

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you taken notice of a good example set by someone young? Have you ever been guilty of looking down on someone just because of their age?
  2. Consider each of the ways we are to set an example for believers: in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Think of times when you set an example in each of these areas. Are you strongest in one of those areas? Which ones could you work on more this week?
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Nourishment

1 Timothy 4

Thursday, September 8, 2022

“In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.” – 1 Timothy 4:6

One of my favorite parts of the year is camps, and retreats, and other various conferences. At these conferences I always love hearing other people’s stories of faith. Listening to the speakers everyday and overall being surrounded by people of faith and having a safe place to discuss, and weed through questions we often ask. These events we attend are crucial in spiritual development. But why do I feel differently when I get home? Similar to a feeling of hunger, if we do not surround ourselves with the nourishment of Godly things. The fact we feel hungry at home and not at these events, probably means we need to start being more diligent in reading and feeding ourself with spiritual truths, and people. If we did that we wouldn’t be as “hungry”. As Paul says, it’s just a part of “being a good servant of Christ Jesus.” That and it feels great to be close to God and his promises. Go, be nourished. I know I need it. 

-Jesse Allen

Application Questions

  1. When do you feel most spiritually nourished?
  2. What do you think God expects you to command and teach to others? (verse 11 and surrounding passage)
  3. Have you been watching your life and doctrine closely? Why do you think Paul mentions both? What is the result if you persevere in doing both well?
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