But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come. This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things.
Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders. Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. Pay attention to yourself, and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Questions
- What seducing spirits and doctrines of demons are knocking at our door today?
- Do you know of teachers in the church who put restrictions on their members as described in this passage? What other types of hypocrisy have you witnessed?
- In this passage, Paul reiterates the teaching that all foods are clean and that there is no religious reason to avoid eating anything. How does that apply today? What about unhealthy foods? Be careful, here: what is considered “healthy” today might not be considered healthy tomorrow…
- How do you practice receiving with thanksgiving all the nourishment God gives you? How do you practice receiving with thanksgiving all the things God gives you?
- If you’ve been “nourished in the words of faith, and good doctrine,” do you instruct others in how to live?
- Old wives’ fables: Can you identify some of these that exist in your congregation?
- How do you exercise toward godliness?
- If you compared your exercising toward godliness with how much you devote to working out, would you be embarrassed regarding how much time you spend on something that is deteriorating and temporary versus something that is vibrant and eternal?
- Have others insulted you because of your youthful faith? If you’re not young anymore, are you guilty of looking down on young people who are living out their faith in front of you?
- Are you an example to those who believe? How about to unbelievers? What’s the difference?
- Are you living out the example of Christ in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity?
- Do you practice godliness through the reading of God’s word, encouraging others in their walk with Christ, and teaching? If not, what’s stopping you?
- Are you guilty of neglecting the gift that is within you?
- Are gifts given today by prophecy and by the laying on of hands by elders? If not, why not?
- How should we “pay attention to ourselves and our teaching”? How can we be self-aware without being self-absorbed?
- What part does teaching play in the saving of ourselves?
