Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Beyond the Gospels: Timothy

Today's verses: 2 Timothy 2:14-26
[Click the reference above to read online.]

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
a worker who does not need to be ashamed and 
who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

Correctly handling the word of truth first implies familiarity with the word of truth. How well do you know His Word? Are you able to recognize foolish arguments and ungodly chatter? Do you know how to avoid the trap of the devil when it comes to quarrels?

From the beginning of my walk with Him, I knew I would only find out who He is by reading the Bible and praying. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to teach us and remind us of everything He said. Unless we know His Word, how can He remind us?

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,
He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. ..."
John 14:26 NASB95

Some dangerous talk takes place in the church. The enemy uses divisive quarrels and arguments as traps to lead us away from truth and make us ineffective in His Kingdom. Don't unwittingly be used by the devil. Know His Word. Be prepared to be reminded by the Spirit. Seek Him in His Word. It's never too late to begin equipping yourself with truth.

But remember. The point of knowing His Word is not so you can win an argument or get the upper hand in a quarrel. The sole purpose of being in His Word is spending time with Him, gaining experiential knowledge of the Father through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Don't get carried away with quarreling. And if you find yourself enjoying the argument, you may want to take time to ask God what's at the root of your desire to argue. Is it Him? Or another power egging you on?

Lord, I long to know You, to be one who correctly handles Your Word.
Kindly teach me truth and enable me to gently instruct others.
Bless me with the ability to discern between a teachable moment
or a setup for an argument. Protect me from the enemy's traps.

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