In this episode, we focus on the commitment to spiritual discipline as highlighted in 1 Timothy Chapter 4. Our discussion includes personal reflections on the necessity of public scripture reading, the struggle for biblical literacy in today’s society, and the challenge of aligning our religious beliefs with everyday actions. Whether you’re a fervent believer or exploring faith, there’s something here to enrich your understanding.
Welcome to Add Bible, an audio daily devotion from the Ezra Project. Allen J. Huth shares a Bible passage with comments from over 35 years of his personal Bible reading journals and applies the Word of God to our daily lives.
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Today brings us to 1 Timothy chapter 4. We’ll listen to our guest reader, Larry Geeling, as he reads the 16 verses of 1 Timothy chapter 4.
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1 Timothy 4. Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 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. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 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. Command and teach these things. 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. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 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. By so doing, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
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In 1992, I was 37 years old when I wrote in my journal, strong words from Paul, seared on our conscience as with a branding iron, quoting verse 2, nourished on the words of faith, according to verse 6. And I wrote, good place to eat. Then I quoted verse 7. Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. Then I wrote, Discipline is a lost art. People are not willing to work at or for something. If it isn’t easy or free or quick, it isn’t worth the effort. Self-discipline, marriage, children, so much is suffering because there is so little discipline anymore. Then I wrote, public reading of the word is so necessary in our country today. Lord, how can I be part of this mission field? Then lastly, quoting verse 15, be absorbed in spiritual gifts so your progress may be evident to all. In 2002, at 47 years old, remember I was in Bangkok, Thailand. So I wrote a little bit about being in Thailand, and I’m going to share that with you. I wrote, And from Bangkok, I wrote about 1 Timothy chapter 4. Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture to preach and to teaching. God calls us to be exemplary. People are watching how Christians live. What are they seeing? And in 2012, 57 years old, I wrote about 1 Timothy 4, and then I referred to verse 12. Be an example of Christianity in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them to grow and be an example for others. 1 Timothy 3 was about the qualities of leadership. This chapter gets more personal. It gives us instructions about how to live a godly life. Let’s see how Paul instructs Timothy and thereby instructs us today. He says in verse 6, If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus. And he starts with this, Being trained in the words of faith and of good doctrine. Yes, we need to be trained in the words of faith and good doctrine, which comes from the Word of God. That’s why you’re listening to AdBible. That’s why the Ezra Project produces AdBible, so that we can stay close to the Word of God. That is a key part of godly living. Paul goes on to say to Timothy, “…have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather, train yourself for godliness.” So for us, he’s telling us, we don’t need to be focused on the ways of the world. We need to stay focused on the ways of the Word. And training in godliness takes work. It takes effort, like physical exercise. Paul says bodily training is of some value, but godliness is of value in every way. So do you spend more time focused on your body or on your spirit? Next, he reminds Timothy that we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people. And of course, setting our hope on the living God is a major part of living a godly life. And he instructs Timothy to command and teach these things. Now you may not be a teacher in that regard, but we are all still to share in our sphere of influence, the truths of the gospel, our relationship with Jesus. And then he tells Timothy, set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Is that what people see in your life? I said in one of my journals, people are watching. What do they see when they see Christians? Are you an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity to those around you? The term is used in Scripture. We are ambassadors for Christ. How do people see Jesus if they see me? And Paul tells Timothy, do not neglect the gift you have. We all have gifts. We all have different gifts. But we are not to neglect the gifts that God has given us to further his kingdom. What is your gift? What has God given you to further his kingdom? And then Paul finishes by reminding Timothy that all this takes work. He says, Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers. So Christianity is not a spectator sport. It’s work. We are to keep practicing. We are to immerse ourselves in our faith. And we are to keep a close watch on ourselves. And we are to persist. And for what reason? Paul says, for by doing so, you will save both yourself and your hearers. So godliness, godly behavior takes work. It takes practice. It takes persistence. I know I’m still a work in progress. Are you? I hope so, because Paul starts this chapter with a serious warning. He says, in later times, some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared. Surely we are in these later times. Many have departed from the faith. Many are being wooed away from biblical Christianity by deceitful spirits, the teachings of demons, and lies. To keep that from happening to you, Paul says, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. In other words, stay in the Word of God. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Lord, keep us close to the fire so our flame doesn’t go out. Thanks for the reminder that I don’t arrive in Christianity. It’s a continuing journey. It takes practice and it takes persistence. And though I understand I’m not saved by my works, I also understand that others can be saved through my works. You call me to be an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Lord, forgive me when I fail in those things and strengthen me so that I can be a better example of Christianity for you. In your name we pray. Amen. According to a recent Barna research study entitled Bible Reading, A New Year’s Resolution, most Americans are not satisfied with their current level of Scripture reading. A majority express a desire to read the Bible more than they currently do. Born-again and practicing Christians are the most likely to desire more Bible reading in their day-to-day lives. It should not come as a surprise that the majority of Americans wish they read Scripture more than they do, says Roxanne Stone, editor-in-chief of Barna Group. After all, two-thirds of Americans agree that the Bible contains everything you need to know to live a meaningful life. Why wouldn’t you want to read such a book more often? The study continues. However, like other New Year’s resolutions, such as exercising more and eating healthier, Scripture reading is often an aspirational goal. It’s the goal that for most people probably doesn’t feel necessary to survive and so can easily get swamped by the day-to-day demands of a busy life. Scripture reading takes time and focus, two things that feel like scarcities in today’s fast-paced and on-demand culture. Like exercise, like dieting, regular Bible reading does not offer instant payoff. It’s a discipline whose rewards are reaped over the long haul. And the study continues, when people go from feeling they should read the Bible more to needing to read the Bible more, they find the time. Access to the Bible is not the issue in the USA, is it? We all have Bibles. According to another study done a few years ago, 88% of Americans own a Bible. We have 3.5 Bibles in our homes. And this is amazing. 59% of people who have no faith or are atheists even own a Bible, probably just in case. So if you have a smartphone, you have access to the Word of God. My Gideon Bible app has over 2,100 languages. Access to the Bible is not the issue. The issue is changing our beliefs about the Bible to behavior with the Bible. So where are Christians with the Bible today? Christians are well-intentioned when it comes to the Bible. We believe that the Bible is the Word of God. We believe, we just don’t behave. Our belief in the Bible and our behavior with the Bible are inconsistent. The middle ground related to the Bible seems to be disappearing. The decrease of Bible-neutral and Bible-friendly people and the increase of Bible antagonists suggests that more people are picking a side. Which side are you on? Are you a Bible antagonist questioning the Bible? Are you Bible-neutral? I just don’t know. Or are you Bible-friendly? I love the Bible. Wherever you are, pick a side. Because of our neglect of God’s Word, we are becoming biblically illiterate. For example, in a private religious elementary school, kids were asked about the Old and New Testaments. Here are some funny things that they had to say. The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat that apple. Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day but a ball of fire by night. What kind of man was Boaz before he married? Ruthless. The epistles were the wives of the apostles. Christians have only one spouse. That’s called monotony. So, if we think about Bible literacy or illiteracy, we think about it this way. If God decided to come down from his throne in heaven, become an author here on earth, you’d think his book would be on the bestseller list. And the fact is, the Bible is the number one bestselling book of all time. 2.5 to 5 billion, according to research. It’s also the most read book of all time. Praise the Lord, that alone might be evidence that the Bible, not any other so-called writing, is God’s Word. According to a weekly World News report, here are a few other Bible facts. About 50 Bibles are sold every minute. The Bible is the world’s best-selling book. It’s also the world’s most shoplifted book. That’s interesting. And that doesn’t even count all the Gideon Bibles stolen out of those hotels. So I encourage you to enjoy a portion of God’s Word every day. Make it a daily spiritual habit. And so until next time, I’m Alan J. Huth, and this program is sponsored by The Ezra Project, with support from listeners like you. Visit EzraProject.net to keep AdBible, connecting God’s people to God’s Word, on the air. I know you’re going to like it and want to share it with others.
