BEING GODLY
Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, for your Word. Use it today, Holy Spirit, to enlighten my soul, embolden my testimony, straighten my walk, and elevate my praise.
Read 1 TIMOTHY 4:6-16
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 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. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Think about how you have grown and developed in your spiritual life. What things have you found helpful? What advice would you pass on to a younger Christian about becoming mature in Christ?In verse 2, Paul accused the false teachers of being hypocritical. Now, he advises Timothy to train himself to be godly and to set an example. What specific things does Paul encourage Timothy to do in order to keep this instruction (especially in verses 11-16)? Godliness—respect and reverence for God and reflecting God’s image to the world—is not something easily come by. Note the use of the words ‘train’, ‘labor’, ‘strive’, ‘devote’, ‘diligent’, ‘wholly’, and ‘persevere’. Paul emphasizes the need for good teaching (vs 6,7,11,13). Studying the Word of God and teaching others what we have learned from it will provide a firm foundation and will nourish the teacher and the hearers.
Three times in 1 Timothy, Paul says, ‘This is a trustworthy saying.’ He uses it to refer to Christ coming into the world to save sinners (1:15); to the aspiration to be a church leader (3:1); and here in verse 8, it refers to the idea that godliness has value for all things. What value do you place on developing godliness in your life?
Apply
Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem in praise of God’s Word. Use the words of verses 9-16 as a prayer. Think about the role of studying God’s Word as you train yourself to be godly.
Closing prayer
Forgive me, gracious Father, when I come to your Word distracted, when my prayers come from habit more than from my heart. Today, your Word has my undivided attention, and I pray that you will use it to change me.
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