Every so often, it’s good to ask yourself: “Why do I do what I do?” It’s so easy to get caught up in simply getting things done, while forgetting the ultimate purpose for our tasks.
In 1 Timothy 1:4-7, Paul presents three failures of false teachers that—if we’re not careful—can become our failures too: (1) Their teachings promote meaningless speculations that “don’t help people live a life of faith in God” (1 Timothy 1:4); (2) their motive is all about position and reputation, rather than to see that the truth is taught or that lives are changed (1 Timothy 1:7); (3) they appear to be impressive teachers, but they have no real understanding of the law or the gospel (1 Timothy 1:7).
In contrast, the purpose of good teaching is “that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). When truth is being taught, preached, and believed, it will always result in love—love for God and love for one another. As we instruct others in God’s Word—whether in Sunday school, a small group, one-to-one, from the pulpit, or as parents—what’s the aim of our instruction? Is it so they will “be filled with love”?
Paul tells us that teaching the Bible to others can be an uphill task, for in the last days “people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear” (2 Timothy 4:3). That’s why we have the great responsibility to teach the Word in a way that reveals God’s authority.
It’s not about our own thoughts or human wisdom but about accurately representing His Word.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ruth 1:1-22
More:
Read Titus 2:7-8 to see more qualities a person who teaches God’s Word should possess.
Next:
What is the aim of your instruction in God’s Word — that your hearers may love God more, or love you more? Why is it vital that you teach the Bible to others?
tom felten on March 15, 2011 at 9:06 am
Poh Fang, I’m reminded of something C.S. Lewis once wrote: “Those who would like the God of Scripture to be more purely ethical, do not know what they ask.” God is God. He alone defines what is most loving and what is truth. A false prophet will want to define God in His own terms—creating a caricature, not falling face down before the One who has made Himself known.
eppistle on March 15, 2011 at 9:20 am
Certainly we shouldn’t compromise sound doctrine. But some well-meaning Christian teachers argue so vehemently regarding secondary issues that the Bible is unclear about and disassociate themselves from good brothers and sisters who don’t agree with them. I had a great uncle who disassociated himself from my grandmother because though she preferred the KJV, she was OK with other translations.
Where is the love? As the Apostle Paul wrote, “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth” (I Cor. 8:1).
tom felten on March 15, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Good thoughts, eppistle. There are “disputable matters” (Romans 14:1-12) that one Christian might view very differently from another. But these secondary issues pale in comparison to the primary issues (tenets) of our faith that all true believers in Jesus embrace. Jesus taught that the false teacher will appear harmless as a sheep, while they are actually a wolf (Matthew 7:15). The key indicators of a faithful and true teacher is obedience to God’s Word (Matthew 7:23) and following Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 7:24)—following the tenets He taught.