1 Timothy Chapter 4 (5 of 7)
Series: The Epistle of I Timothy
Harley Howard
In contrast to the great truths given about the Godhead, Paul warns Timothy of the soon coming apostasy within the church of Jesus Christ. The main characteristic of apostasy, as found in this chapter, is a departure from established truth and from the lifestyle that truth produces. It is not enough to have a surface familiarity with doctrine. This has been, and is, a great danger within the church age - a familiarity with doctrine at the exclusion of following it. What good is doctrine if we have no intention of following it? How better is it, or what is the difference between the non-Christian and us, if both of us are not following the doctrine? If the outcome of the behavior is the same for us as for the unbeliever, then what advantage is it for us to have doctrine alone? The answer is nothing, except that our judgment will be greater.
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
The Spirit speaks clearly, "expressly," and openly (He has said it time and time again from the Word of God). Now when we see these things that the Holy Spirit reveals through the Scriptures concerning apostasy, we should not be surprised; rather, we should be reminded that God has already said apostasy would happen. Let it be a confirmation of the truthfulness of the Word of God. What does the Spirit tell us? Or the better question is, "What is the Holy Spirit saying to us right now?" The verb speaketh, is in the present active indicative voice, meaning that the Holy Spirit is still speaking and that it is a statement of fact. Not only is the Holy Spirit speaking, but also, what He is saying is clearly expressed in words that we better take heed to, just as Timothy was to take heed to these same words when Paul wrote them. There is no guesswork here and no opinion. This was clea ...
Series: The Epistle of I Timothy
Harley Howard
In contrast to the great truths given about the Godhead, Paul warns Timothy of the soon coming apostasy within the church of Jesus Christ. The main characteristic of apostasy, as found in this chapter, is a departure from established truth and from the lifestyle that truth produces. It is not enough to have a surface familiarity with doctrine. This has been, and is, a great danger within the church age - a familiarity with doctrine at the exclusion of following it. What good is doctrine if we have no intention of following it? How better is it, or what is the difference between the non-Christian and us, if both of us are not following the doctrine? If the outcome of the behavior is the same for us as for the unbeliever, then what advantage is it for us to have doctrine alone? The answer is nothing, except that our judgment will be greater.
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
The Spirit speaks clearly, "expressly," and openly (He has said it time and time again from the Word of God). Now when we see these things that the Holy Spirit reveals through the Scriptures concerning apostasy, we should not be surprised; rather, we should be reminded that God has already said apostasy would happen. Let it be a confirmation of the truthfulness of the Word of God. What does the Spirit tell us? Or the better question is, "What is the Holy Spirit saying to us right now?" The verb speaketh, is in the present active indicative voice, meaning that the Holy Spirit is still speaking and that it is a statement of fact. Not only is the Holy Spirit speaking, but also, what He is saying is clearly expressed in words that we better take heed to, just as Timothy was to take heed to these same words when Paul wrote them. There is no guesswork here and no opinion. This was clea ...
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