Skip to main content

Unhealthy Speculation

“Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work – which is by faith.” 1 Timothy 1:4

Have you ever found yourself in this situation being extremely confused about a very important question about God and getting many different opinions from people when you ask about it? It can be disheartening and even cause you to doubt God.

But here’s the thing, we live in a world that is unique from most of human history before it. Information about almost everything is easily accessible to all and confidence in our own individual sense of knowledge is so strong, people will speculate even though they have limited reason to do so.

For instance, you might ask someone what grace means and they will take a podcast they heard one time, combine it with a conversation they had with a friend years ago, combine that with a statement they always heard their mom say growing up, and give you an answer. They may even talk confidently about it, but their answer may have nothing to do with a biblical understanding of grace.

In 1 Timothy, one of the greatest things that the Apostle Paul encourages the young pastor Timothy in is watching out for false doctrine or false beliefs. You see, despite the mess we sometimes make it out to be there is still only one Faith or set of beliefs that define being a Christian. Now, I am not talking about every little issue, but the most important things like Jesus’ death and resurrection and God’s nature which are clearly laid out in the Bible. We must be willing to give everything for these most important beliefs and defend against wrong beliefs.

In 1 Timothy 1:4, Paul explains to Timothy that some people are constantly speculating and they are doing it for issues that don’t really matter. Instead, let us focus on the most important beliefs about God, understand them, and then be willing to stand for them no matter what.

 Prayer Focus: Lord, I want to know the things that are most important about You and be willing to stand for them no matter what. As I study Your Word, help me to understand and give me the strength to stand.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Answers

“An angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road, the desert road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out...” Acts 8:26 Philip is an example of how God calls us to step out in obedience even if it doesn’t make sense at the time. The angel of the Lord gave clear directions for Philip to go from Jerusalem to Gaza. He was asked to travel in the heat of the day through the desert, not the normal paved route to Gaza. Philip did not question God or try to figure out why God was asking him to go. He didn’t pause to wonder how he was going to deal with the physically draining aspects of the journey or who was going to fund his trip. He simply started on his way. As he went along, the Holy Spirit directed him to an Ethiopian eunuch. Philip struck up casual conversations which led to sharing the good news about Jesus. Many people have told me they desire to go on a mission trip but are not sure if they should go. They want to have all the answers ahead of time....
Post a Comment
Read more

Not Every Prayer

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.’” Luke 18:9-10 Prayers are not the same. Some are humble cries to the Lord; but some are self-righteous rants before God. The first declares our unworthiness in the presence of our King. The second tells God how good we are compared to those around us, as if God is blessed to have us on His side. When I used to provide coaching for churches, I would be in meetings that included prayer. Some of those times were corporate praying that was open to all. I can still remember one in which a person very awkwardly poured their heart out to the Lord while the next waxed eloquent with fine-sounding words. As I listened to the second person, I was not sure that God knew anything, especially how special the pray-er was. As in our passage today, I believe the first person went home justified by Go...
Post a Comment
Read more

Summer Fun with Beautiful Feet!

“As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” Romans 10:11-15 God is good, all the time! Just two verses are already good enough for Him to sketch His gospel to us! The messenger is sent to preach to the seeker. The seeker hears and believes and calls on the name of the Lord! Is it simple? YES! Is it easy? NO. Thank You God, You only hold us accountable to do our best in Your strength and in Your will, then leave the results for You! Also, thank You God, You pave...
Post a Comment
Read more