In two weeks of looking at 1 Timothy, I noticed two themes that Paul stressed to the young pastor that we can use. First, I saw the list of distractions that can come on innocently enough and grow to choke the ministry; the other are the four things to keep in mind to fight that corruption.
First distraction: Using the Word for the sake of argument
1Ti 6:3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
1Ti 6:4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
1Ti 6:5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
Paul warns Timothy here of the progression- it starts with a bit of pride, becomes arrogance, until the ministry is just a job to make money from.
First preventative- Humility
1Ti 6:1 Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.
Starting with the one thing all men have in common- a boss- Paul says to practice humility, serving without complaint, because aren't most such complaints basically, "Here's how I'd do it better than you"?
Second distraction- Greed
1Ti 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Note the part about "senseless and harmful desires". To do well in life is helpful- to obsess on it is not.
Second preventative- Contentment
1Ti 6:6 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment,
1Ti 6:7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
1Ti 6:8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
If we remember v7 as we prosper, it will keep the greed from becoming our focus. And, it will move the more important things into focus.
Third distraction- being 'elite'
1Ti 6:17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
And back we come to the arrogance. Why? Because this is an every day, every moment fight. It only takes one moment where one truly is an 'expert' to make one think they're an expert in everything.
Third preventative- don't let up!
1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Satan isn't going to allow you to 'catch a breath'. The promise before us is worth hanging onto with every moment.
Fourth distraction- and fourth preventative-
1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge,"
1Ti 6:21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
Distraction is the 'babble'- those who will try to lessen the meaning of the Word by dilution with 'society's norms', 'tolerance', 'science', and so on. You have to guard what was passed to you in the Word, or the world will talk you out of it.
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