I Timothy 4  In the first 5 verses Paul is tells Timothy.. and  the church  to watch out for false teachers.  In the day the problem was with the Gnostics.  They believed that all physical matter was evil. Their teaching, Paul said, was from "deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons".   They were far from the truth.. for as Paul reminds us.. God created all things and He is good.  If we know and believe this truth then we can refute the false teaching and with gratitude receive all that He provides for us. Indeed, "it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer."  

What are the false teachers saying today?  What do we need to be careful of.. to bring to the lens of Truth and make sure we are not being deceived?  There has been a lot of discussion about the "prosperity gospel".. which is an example that we might use in this context.. There are also some who present a "social" gospel.. that we need to examine carefully.  Whatever has been or  is now being presented.. that which distracts us from the Truth.. falls into the category of false teaching.  Paul has warned us.. ".. the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith.. "  Let us be careful to keep our eyes on Jesus!  Let all we think about.. all we receive.. "be sanctified by the word of God and prayer.." 

In the rest of this chapter Paul gives Timothy advice on how to combat the false teachings.. good advice for all of us:

V6 We need to be "constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of sound doctrine.. " 

v7-8  We need to discipline ourselves "for the purpose of godliness".  ( That includes what we listen to.. watch.. or read) .. for "godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." 

v10 We need to  fix "our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers."

v12 We need to show ourselves as examples of what a believer is.. in our "speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity"

v13 We need to read, teach, and preach the Scriptures. 

v14 We need to use the spiritual gifts that God gives us. 

v15 We need to be diligent in all of these things.. Paul tells Timothy to "take pains.. be absorbed.. " in these truths. 

v16 We need to "pay close attention" to ourselves.. to our teaching.. to all we do as we serve the Lord.  This is for our own benefit as well as those who we might influence. 

Father, teach us.. enable us.. help us to walk in the Light.. in the Truth of Your Word.. to be steadfast and faithful.. to be diligent and focused  on  living for You. May all we do and say and think be centered on You... Your love, Your Truth and Your ways.  We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.