LET THE WORD OF GOD INFLUENCE YOUR LIFE MORE THAN THE TEACHINGS OF MEN
SCRIPTURE:
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2Timothy 3:10—17 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
Paul wrote to Timothy and warned him of the people’s condition in the last days. He warned that all people would be lovers of self and pleasure more than of God. People will be loaded with sins and swayed by all kinds of evil desires. People will be learning the truth and will always be learning but will never be able to come to the knowledge of truth.
Paul’s words to Timothy are a warning and a recognition of Timothy’s faithfulness. He acknowledges Timothy’s understanding of his teachings, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecution, and suffering. Paul’s words testify to Timothy’s role as a faithful servant, respected and valued in God’s eyes.
Paul hopes Timothy will understand how he lived differently from those he mentioned earlier in this chapter. Paul said that the Lord rescued him from all the difficulties he faced, including the sufferings at the hands of evildoers and the persecution.
It is helpful to know that life as a Christian is never promised as a life free of hardship. So many times, believers only look for a life free of challenges and hardship. Paul told Timothy, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. We are never immune from the difficulties that life throws at us. How often do believers leave their faith life because they don’t believe that, as Christians, they shouldn’t be facing challenges?
Paul said it is a FACT that everyone WHO WANTS to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. I want to get used to this truth and embrace the challenges that will come to me because of my desire to live a godly life in Christ. How do I continue to live a godly life after Christ? Paul gave Timothy this charge from which I must learn.
- I must continue in what I have learned and have become convinced of
- I must continue to learn from those who I have learned the truth from
- I must be careful of whom I allowed to teach me the truth. Many false teachers out there deceive people and lead them to deception.
- I must always be convinced of the Holy Scripture, my Bible.
- I must follow the wisdom of the scripture that leads me to salvation in Christ.
- I must believe that ALL SCRIPTURES are God-breathed and, in fact, the word of God.
- The Scripture is useful to teach, rebuke, correct, and train me in righteousness so I may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Learning to apply this truth daily will strengthen the lives of believers and those who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus. I have learned that the Bible is the final authority in my life that will prepare me to live out and do the will of Jesus in my life.
APPLICATION:
Desiring to live a godly life is never easy, but I have learned today that I must be careful of those I allow to influence my life. More than following people, I knew that the word of God must have the absolute authority to impact my life if I want to be used for God’s purpose. The Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training me in righteousness so I may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. I want to be influenced by the word of God daily as I spend time listening to him and reading his word.
PRAYER:
Father, please continue to help me enjoy your word as you prepare and equip me for every good work that you want me to do. Father, please train me in your word. I pray that you continue to teach, rebuke, correct, and train me in your righteous ways. I want to be a child whose life has been shaped and molded by your truth. Teach me to fear and obey your word as your Holy Spirit works in me. I look to you today, Father, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
