Sunday, January 5, 2020

praying effectively: Do Not Teach Strange Doctrines (1Tim. 1:3-11)



(1 Timothy 1:3-11)  As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.

But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we instruct other believers not to pay attention to or teach strange doctrines, myths or speculations (1:3-4)
- that we teach believers to pursue a sincere faith, with a pure heart and a good conscience (1:5)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your guidance.  Give us wisdom as we study Your word, so that we may have  a fuller understanding of Your will.  May we not get distracted with false teachings, but remain steadfast and focused on sharing Your love and truth with those around us.  All to Your glory, amen.


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