Scripture to Read: 1 Timothy 4:6-8
In light of what God taught us in our first two devotions, God continues today in 1 Timothy 4:6, reminding Timothy, and us, that we must make our brothers and sisters in Christ aware of false teachers and false teachings. We must help protect each other from falling into following any popular teaching if that teaching does not line up with God’s Truth. We must also be continually nourished through God’s Word, sound teaching, and daily stand firm in our faith in Christ alone. God tells us to avoid “worldly fables,” which means we don’t need to be wasting our time arguing over godless ideas. Today on social media, a lot of godless ideas are talked about every day. God tells us not to get caught up in those pointless, godless conversations. But God does tell us to discipline ourselves so that we live godly lives. We have to work on staying spiritually fit, just like we have to work at staying physically fit. There is no magical pill to make us spiritually fit. We must choose to read, study, and memorize God’s Word every day. We must decide to practice God’s presence in our lives through prayer all day long. God tells us that bodily discipline is of little profit. God is not saying that we should not take care of ourselves. God is making the point that our self-motivated works are of little or no value when doing them for self-gain and recognition (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Godliness, though, is built on Christ alone. Christ is our reason for serving and for living.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about helping other believers avoid false teachers and about being spiritually fit?
2. What kind of spiritual workout do you do each day to stay spiritually fit?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!