1 Timothy 4: How Is Your Conscience?
Verse of the Day: (V2) “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”

1. Conscience (V1-11)
V1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”

God through Apostle Paul warned Timothy, his successor, as well as Christians today, to be sober and vigilant because there were many false religions, cults and teachers who were led by the devil and his demons, and without any conscience led many to fiery hell with their false beliefs and teachings. The devil knows that ultimately he shall be condemned and cast into fiery hell, and this is why he shall not hesitate to lead as many as possible to fiery hell with him. Let us therefore pray that God shall grant us a good and clear conscience by preaching the gospel of Christ, that all may come to know Christ, and shall never perish in fiery hell, but have everlasting life with Him in glorious heaven.

V6 “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”

2. Charity (V12-13)
V12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

Paul reminded Timothy to be an example of love and faith so that no one would despise his youth and inexperience. Paul encouraged Timothy to continue to study and preach God’s Word so that all might come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Indeed, there is no short cut to Christian growth and maturity because it is all about “hard” work and “heart” work, and in deepening and strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

V13 “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

3. Continue (V14-16)
V14 “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”

Paul encouraged Timothy to continue in God’s Word even though many times he felt like quitting, because God’s grace was sufficient for him. Indeed, no matter what comes our way, even death, let us continue in God’s Word, as our labour is never in vain in the Lord.

V16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to have a good and clear conscience before You.