Going with God's Word

1 Timothy 6-Part 3
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;   1 Timothy 6:3


LET IT GLOW

I felt the Lord directing me to be the Children's Church director at my church this year. So I decided to teach these children this month a fundamental doctrine-God is our Creator. I am reading from the first chapter of Genesis, teaching about each day of creation. We can see Jesus in the scriptures as He is Maker of heaven and earth, the light of the world, our Living Water. God planned out each day of His creating. Likewise, He has a plan for our world and life today.

Verse 3 in New Living Translation  says: Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life.

Like pastors and teachers, I don't stand on my own authority, but on the truth of God's Word. We all must submit to the authority of the original and pure teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Otherwise, what we say is only our words.) In Paul's day, they had verbal teachings of the apostles. In our day, we have the 66 books of the Bible, which are God-breathed words preserved for us. (Swindoll)

Even though Paul's writings in our Bible are actually letters he wrote to churches and individuals, they were inspired words from the Holy spirit. They have been living words down through the ages, preserved for us now.

2 Timothy 4:16 says: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

As I have said before, I believe God's Word is turth, not just another story book. Paul says these are wholesome words (hygiano in the Greek), from which we get our words "hygiene" or "healthy." Any other teaching is unhealthy and doesn't lead to godliness (Liberty Bible Commentary)

I will strive to make sure that my words are from God's Word and not my own opinions, so I'm going with God's Word. I want to read what He has to say to you and me. It's my authority to live by and I submit to the Bible's teachings. Will you?

LET IT GROW

Paul is stongly warning Timothy about anyone who teaches something contrary to this orthodox teaching of Christ.
Here is what is said in Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus:

The Greek word is a compound of heteros (different, another, foreign) and didasko (to teach).
This isn't someone who differs with a pastor or ministry methods. Paul is talking about someone who has strayed from God's Word in forming his or her beliefs. If someone's doctrine does not lead to good deeds, then it fils the first test of orthodoxy. They are a heretic.

Paul describes this one who doesn't submit to the authority of Scripture as:

• proud, conceited, puffed up, in a fog, head-in-the-clouds, lofty view of himself and his own ideas towers above everything and everyone else;
• knowing nothing, the Greek term is epistamai, which is "epistemology", the study of knowledge gained through formal education and personal study; so he's a know-nothing;
• controversial questions, refers to philosophical investigation;
• disputes about words, word-fights, debates.

Five church-killing effects of the heretic's activities are:

• envy, jealousy
• strife, divisions
• railings, slanders
• evil surmisings or suspicions
• personal, monetary gain

The heretic's mind is corrupt and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
Am I watching out for those who ride in big cars, wear expensive clothes and jewelry?


LET IT GO

Submit to God's Word as the authority in my life.

Teach His Word as turth.

Beware of false teachers and their teachings.