Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 348

December 14;      1 Timothy 4:16;       192/260(III);          ‘A Close Watch’

1 Timothy 4:16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you.   NLT

Timothy was a young minister.  Paul loved him and spent time teaching him and encouraging him.  In this chapter, Paul is exhorting Timothy,  to know that there will be those who teach false and deceptive doctrine.  To combat error, Paul is strongly telling Timothy to know, teach and live the truth.  Timothy was young (verse 12) and Paul shares that by being a Christian example he will silence the voices of those who may ‘despise your youth.’  Since Timothy was the Pastor of the church at Ephesus, Paul, knowing that the congregation and others would be watching Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy to conduct himself properly and to make sure that what he is teaching the congregation is accurate.  Again, Timothy was a Pastor and as such he had a very great responsibility to be an example and carefully study so that he could teach the congregation biblical truths.  As Christians all of us have the same responsibility and accountability to the Lord.  There are all kinds of deceptive religious teachings and error being taught.  By watching our example and doing all we can to help those we know are in error, we will, like Timothy, be doing what the Lord through Paul is exhorting Timothy to do.  As Timothy does what Paul tells him to do, staying true to the Word, the Word will save, literally protect, Timothy and those he ministers to.  What a blessing that young Timothy had a ‘spiritual father’ to give him such wise counsel.