September 11, 2026 | Be Connected
More Instructions for Timothy as Pastor
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:20-21(NIV)
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Grace be with you all.
Devotional
At the end of chapter five in Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he warned his protégé to steer clear of the temptations of the pagan culture outside the church. Here, he challenged Timothy to beware of the dangerous influences inside the church.
Knowledge is simply information and understanding about a certain topic or idea. Some knowledge is accurate and helpful. Some knowledge is false and dangerous. Paul was aware that some believers in Ephesus had been touting false knowledge about the Christian faith.
This falsehood from within the church was more dangerous than the pagan culture around them. At stake was misinformation about God and His Word. At risk were God’s people, vulnerable to misguided teachings and practices. If Christianity was going to collapse in its nascent years, it would fall from within.
Many Christians fear being ridiculed or rejected by non-believing coworkers, classmates, friends and family members. But for somebody who has deep roots in the faith, these criticisms are nothing more than a breeze passing by a mature oak. By contrast, internal falsehoods gnaw away at the roots themselves. It doesn’t take a tornado to fall the tree. It collapses from its own weight.
That’s why it is so important to become a student of the Bible. Websites, podcasts, posts, movies, books and sermons are replete with opinions about God and humanity. How do you know if what they are saying is correct? Here are some ideas:
- Read the Bible regularly. Don’t wait for Sunday when you go to church and become a passive listener. Grab your Bible and pens. Underline, highlight, write in the margins, ask questions, figure it out. Use commentaries and other resources when helpful.
- Get in a church that focuses on Bible. Expository preaching goes through the words of Scripture in a systematic way. Topical preaching goes through the concepts of Scripture in a fluid way. Decide what is best for your growth.
- Get with a mentor, peer, and/or small group for deeper learning and accountability. Avoid the temptation to make most of the together time about fellowship and catching up. While it is important to build relational connections, it is encountering the Word of God that changes lives.
- Find someone you can mentor, lead a discipleship group, or teach a class yourself. You will learn the most by being the teacher. While this is not step 1, it is a step that can really enhance your Biblical knowledge and obedience. Plus, others will grow under your care.
There are many other means to “guard what has been entrusted to your care” and to “turn away from… the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge.” But this is a good path to get you headed the right direction.
