WARNING OF FALSE DOCTRINE, DEMONS, AND MYTHS

1 TIMOTHY 4:1-10

Chapter 3 of 1 Timothy talked about the qualifications of elders and deacon, but Paul ended that section of Scripture with referring to the church as the pillar and foundation of truth and with an ethical aim in v14-15 and then the doxology or Christology in v 16 – Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Paul now returns his attention to the culture in which Timothy is not only leading and living in but trying to teach in as well. And then when we confess the mystery of godliness – the Holy Spirit explicitly gives us information and warning on false teachers and false doctrines.

Let us pray!

Warning of False Doctrines

1 Timothy 4:1–10 – Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

I. THE CARELESSNESS—vv. 1–5

1. Sinfulness—v. 1 – Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,

The Holy Spirit tells us clearly –

Some will apostate – defect – turn away from – leave the faith

Why do the leave – abandon the faith –

They not only listen to but devote themselves to deceitful spirits and demonic teachings

Jesus warns us of this in Matthew 12:43-45 – “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

Yarbrough says it this way, “When the faith is abandoned, the true image of Christ is suppressed or disfigured.”

Theologians and Commentaries state that as American Believers, we tend to not take this fact seriously –

Ephesians 6:12 – For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Satan is a real entity

He has an army of fallen angels – demons that wreak havoc and plant demonic teachings seducing us with twisted theology and deceiving us in our minds and we do not take them captive

Peter tells us Satan is like a roaring lion

1 Peter 5:8-9 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Croft Pentz says there is a three-fold threat against Christianity is: a) Communism, b) Cults, c) Compromise. These are the greatest enemies of Christianity.

a. Communism – Socialism – a large portion of our country is desiring this government and willing to sacrifice freedoms for freebees

b. Cults – the biggest is transgenderism but also witchcraft and false religions claiming to be Christian

c. Compromise – we are called to compromise our faith and values and leave them at church while those who do not believe compromise nothing – whole denominations are compromising on Biblical truths and teachings so others can feel “accepted” and loved for who they are regardless of what TRUTH is

2. Sensual—v. 2 – through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

Their error is 3 fold –

a. Diabolical - demonic – they gave their attention to demons and their teachings

b. Deceived – humans are deceived by demons – become deliberate and flagrant liars – believing their own lies –

c. Decent – Moral – they throw out their conscience and thus become seared as with a hot iron – permanently damaged – when cells are cauterized they lose their nerve endings and this feel nothing – their consciences are seared – cauterized and no longer feel or hear the presence of the Holy Spirit

3. Selfish—v. 3 – who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

They will teach it is wrong to marry and to eat meat. They will twist the Bible to teach “their own” doctrine.

2 most basic appetites of the human body – sex and hunger – false teachers try to control – teach a demonic philosophy

Some Denominations do not allow clergy to marry – Paul said this is happening and will continue to happen -

Some Denominations are holding to Biblical Marriage – they allow Adam and Steve or Anna and Eve to marry

Hebrews 13:4 – Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Matthew 19:4-6 – Jesus taught – He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

In regards to food – Jesus nullified the dietary restrictions

Mark 7:14-19 – And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.)

God gave both marriage and food as a blessing – should be received in thanksgiving and truth

Paul contradicts these false teachings 3 times – marriage and food are God’s blessings

V3 – to be received with thanksgiving and know the truth

And then 2 more times in v4-5

4. Sanctification—vv. 4–5 – For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

2nd time – v4 – Everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected

3rd time – v5 – it is made Holy by the word of God and prayer

Made Holy – Sanctified – consecrated – set apart for God

Salvation comes from Christ – it is a gift – cannot be earned by sacrificing on our part

II. THE CONSECRATION—vv. 6–10 – Now Paul turns his attention to Timothy and his leadership – now through chapter 5 – Paul will address Timothy 18 times with second person verbs not first person verbs – most theologians agree that Timothy would see this as not directed at him personally but what he is supposed to instill in his leaders and congregation

1. Remembrance—v. 6 – If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

A good minister – a pastor worth their salt will explain the evils of vv. 1–5, and expose all sin.

Timothy, If you teach these things before those who follow Christ, you will be seen as a good servant of Jesus – you will hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” – you will have run the race with confidence.

How will Timothy do it?

Being trained up in the truth – training – studying the Truth – the only source of truth!

Constantly Nourished is a more direct translation

Words of the Faith – knowing Scripture

Good Doctrine – truth – God’s Will, God’s Word, God’s Way

2. Rejection—v. 7 – Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

Do not waste your time in arguing with people about irrelevant, irreverent spiritual arguments. Let your life speak God’s truth to sphere of influence.

Paraiteomai – par ahee the om ahee – shun, avoid, avert, Stay away from, have nothing to do with

mythos – where we get our word myth – fiction, fables, falsehoods, superstitions – vile, profane, anti-Christ – anything not associated with God or would lead others away

Rather – forceful summons – instead of this Timothy – instead of this Church of Vona – train yourself, exercise vigorously for godliness – God-centered not self-centered, to live your life for God’s purpose

How do athletes train – exercise and diet

Spiritual Food – the Word of God

Exercise – Praying, Meditating, Worshipping, Applying God’s Word

3. Renewing—v. 8 – for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Practice holy and godly living. Training your body is of some good value for a little while but what it better is training for godliness becoming God-focused in our lives, our decisions, our serving, our worship, our reading

Godliness – God-focused not only benefits you in today and tomorrow but for eternal life as well.

4. Reproach—vv. 9-10 – The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Timothy – what I have just said, I have repeated because it is not only trustworthy but deserves to be fully accepted. Yes let others continue to discipline and train their body but more so, have them discipline and train their life to God-Centered – God’s Word, God’s Will, God’s Way

Timothy – this is not just for you – the elders in your church, the deacons in your church – instruct them in this way – have them lead in this way

This is why we strive – this is why we toil, work –

Agonizomai – ag o nid zom ahee – agonize – contend, fight struggle endeavor with a strenuous zeal

Kopiao – kop ee ah o – labor with wearisome, tire and exhausted with a burden

because we are not working for earthly rewards or a bigger a paycheck but our hope is set on the living God – the Savior of all people but only received by those who believe.

Ephesus could definitely fit the evil generation Jesus was talking about in Matthew 12 – our current generation could also fit that description – we have even gone to disfigure the Image of God – the last Supreme Court Justice to be sworn in could not give a definition of a woman – we are an evil generation chasing after the lies, deceits and even demonic passions, desires, and teachings.

When we depart from Christ and His Teaching and go after what makes us feel good we are like what Paul says in Philippians

Philippians 3:18-19 – For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Do we train daily for godliness – or just Sundays and Tuesdays?

Do we focus our life on being self-centered or God-centered? What evidence is there in our life words and actions to answer the question?

Do we strive and toil – agonize contend with strenuous zeal for living out our faith relationship and bringing others to true knowledge of the living God?