1 Timothy 4
1 Timothy 4:1-16 (NKJV)
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;
5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Adherence to belief in God does not come without opportunities to get caught up in what seems to be right, even when it may contradict that inner voice of the Spirit (conscience). Depending on who it’s coming from, there is a temptation to get caught up in all kinds of man-made solutions that have to do with what we’re consuming, doing, or not doing, completely abandoning the leading of that Being inside as Comforter, Counselor, and Guide. Being impressed with charisma, status, or a name can lessen the impression of who we’ve been made to be and what’s before us in following Christ for ourselves. For Timothy, his age was something that could lessen his boldness in leading with confidence in the things already strong in him. By caring for his own gift, though, and maintaining diligence in conduct, study, and ministry, he could remain true, not just the dictates of men, but the leading of the Spirit in faith.
There is a guide inside that will keep our faith intact and on track if given precedence over other voices. Rather than searing His effect on our choices, we can honor Him by responding to His every leading with zealous obedience. With every movement according to his direction, there is also protection from those voices that would lead back to bondage and oppression. There may be despising from other perspectives, but those impressions need not diminish the greatness of our gift and its development for God’s glory. What they think will not divert us from what He has spoken if we remain ensconced in Him and fixated on our purpose.