Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
1 Timothy 4
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
Commentary:
4:1 The means by which the Spirit … says is not made clear. It may have been something the Holy Spirit revealed directly to Paul (cf. Acts 20:29–30) or a prophecy that came through others. expressly. Explicitly, clearly. The later times (Gk. hysterois kairois) in view here clearly include Timothy’s day (see the similar phrase in 2 Tim. 3:1). As is typical in the NT, “later times” refers to the time that began with the outpouring of the Spirit after the work of Christ. Those who hold to the false teaching depart from the faith, which shows that this teaching is outside the bounds of true Christianity. Furthermore, the source of the error is demonic, for these teachers follow deceitful spirits. The false teaching and resultant apostasy are no surprise. God said this would happen, so his church should not panic but should carry on in faithfulness (see 2 Tim. 2:17–19).
4:2 The consciences of the false teachers have been seared (that is, desensitized and rendered ineffective) by their rebellion against the gospel. Cf. “good conscience,” 1:5.
4:2 The consciences of the false teachers have been seared (that is, desensitized and rendered ineffective) by their rebellion against the gospel. Cf. “good conscience,” 1:5.
Questions:
- In the last days, instead of following God's truth that is revealed in the Word, many will live according to their own EVIL desires. Yes, Scripture teaches that to go your own way rather than following the will of God is EVIL! It's DEMONIC! That's pretty strong language! When you choose to go your own way instead of God's, do you tend to minimize it? Does it even register in your spirit?
- So then, we must be diligent. We must CONTINUALLY submit our lives, wills, minds, behaviors to the Scripture in order to be corrected and transformed so that we might live according to the Spirit. Is this true of YOUR life? Are you being transformed? Are you continually submitted to Him? How do you know for sure?
Prayer Topics:
- That God would give you discernment.
- That you would go HIS way, always.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
7. How can I trust that the Bible is still God’s Word today? I trust the Bible is still God’s Word today because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God and said His words would never pass away. Through the Holy Spirit, God inspired the writing of the Scripture, determined the canon of Scripture and protected the copying of Scripture so that we might know Him and worship Him to this day.
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
(Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Revelation 22:18-19)
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