6/2/10 1 Timothy 4-5
Discipline
(1 Ti 4:7b-8)7bOn the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
Here Paul is encouraging young Timothy to be disciplined in doctrine and living. In the first section of chapter 4 Paul urges Timothy that he must pay attention to men who are teaching deceitful and damaging doctrine. He gives examples of their teaching which forbids marriage and to abstain from certain foods.
Timothy is to point out these deceitful doctrines and teach sound doctrine. He is not to get involved into endless and fruitless debates with those who are teaching these doctrines, but rather Timothy is to discipline himself for the purpose of godliness. Timothy must be single-minded in his pursuit of godliness.
We can spend so much of our time on physical exercises and activities that do not have any eternal value. Many can be beneficial for this life so we are not to neglect physical exercise altogether, but spiritual exercise is beneficial not only for this life, but also for the life to come. So the wise use of time and a good investment of time is to discipline ourselves for godliness. Notice discipline is going to take time, but it also requires labor and striving as verse 10 points out.
As Timothy demonstrates to others his spiritual discipline he will be a living example of what that looks like as he responds to those who are older than him. With godliness in five areas speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity Timothy will give those who are older than him an example and also confidence in his leadership.
Paul also instructs him to give attention to three specific areas regarding his pastoral role, public reading of Scripture, exhortation or preaching, and teaching. These areas require spending great amounts of time and discipline if they are to be done accurately and well. You will notice in verse 16 that Timothy is to pay close attention to his lifestyle and to his teaching. In other words he is to ‘walk the talk’ and notice the verb that follows; persevere. This is not easy and there have been many who have rejected the truth because someone in their life preached it, but did not live it.
Chapter 4 has pointed that spiritual discipline requires a great deal of attention. Timothy is to be disciplined in spiritual exercises so that he is equipped to defend deceitful doctrine, live an exemplary life before old and young, be faithful to read, preach, and teach the scriptures, and that his living and teach are consistent, which will ensure salvation for himself and those who hear him.
You may think well that’s great for Timothy, but I am not a pastor. Let us remember (2 Ti 3:16)16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;” notice all scripture is profitable. So what can you learn? You can learn that you also should discipline yourself with spiritual exercises. It is going to take time, effort, and consistency. Think about your personal reading of scripture how much time is spent? How consistent are you in your reading of scripture? When you hear the preaching and teaching of scriptures do you discipline your mind to listen to what is being said or does it drift and day dream? Is your commitment to worship and bible study irregular or faithful? What about your lifestyle, is it consistent with what the scriptures teach? How about your example to others in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity?
To sum it all up we all must discipline ourselves so that our belief, doctrine, and lifestyle are faithful and consistent to scripture.
Prayer: Father, I ask your Spirit to motivate my will toward greater discipline in spiritual things. Lord, I ask that my doctrine and living would be consistent and faithful to You. I want to display Your character through my life. Show me today where areas of my life that I must give attention to better display your character. I ask for a fresh dose of your grace to persevere in all things that lead to godliness. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.