Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: 1 Samuel 30-31; 1 Timothy 4
Training for a Holy Life – 1 Timothy 4:1-16
The Spirit clearly says that in latter times some people will turn away from the faith. They will pay attention to spirits that deceive and to the teaching of demons. 2 They will be controlled by the pretense of lying, and their own consciences will be seared. 3 They will prohibit marriage and eating foods that God created—and he intended them to be accepted with thanksgiving by those who are faithful and have come to know the truth. 4 Everything that has been created by God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected. 5 These things are made holy by God’s word and prayer. 6 If you point these things out to the believers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus who has been trained by the words of faith and the good teaching that you’ve carefully followed. 7 But stay away from the godless myths that are passed down from the older women.
Practices of spiritual leadership
Train yourself for a holy life! 8 While physical training has some value, training in holy living is useful for everything. It has promise for this life now and the life to come. 9 This saying is reliable and deserves complete acceptance. 10 We work and struggle for this: “Our hope is set on the living God, who is the savior of all people, especially those who believe.” 11 Command these things. Teach them. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young. Instead, set an example for the believers through your speech, behavior, love, faith, and by being sexually pure. 13 Until I arrive, pay attention to public reading, preaching, and teaching. 14 Don’t neglect the spiritual gift in you that was given through prophecy when the elders laid hands on you. 15 Practice these things, and live by them so that your progress will be visible to all. 16 Focus on working on your own development and on what you teach. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who hear you.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
“While physical training has some value, training in the holy living is useful for everything” (v. 8).
There is an irony I have been struggling with; while running helped me in my physical training, I learned how my spiritual practice fell back. At the time while my physical training lacked, I was able to keep a decent spiritual practice, which provided the strength to move forward. At this point in having a better exercise regiment, I see the need to keep up with my spiritual practices.
Why? We live in an age where we need discernment, between what is from God and what is from the world. In the influx of information, we need the ability to find what is from God and what tears us away from God. It is a hard balance to achieve, but it will help us to save ourselves, as we help others to understand.
Prayer
Lord, when we pray show us your way. Pour out your grace, so we can share you Good News to this world. In Christ name we pray, Amen.
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