Calling Out False Teaching

October 30, 2022 Series: God's House: A Series from 1 Timothy

Passage: 1 Timothy 4:1–5

Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Tyler’s Message, October 30, 2022 1 Timothy 4:1-5
Calling Out False Teaching

Introduction: We saw earlier that 1 Timothy 1:3-5 calls out false teaching, and so we will hear it called out in chapters 4 and 6. False doctrine was a problem in the Ephesian church, and it is a problem in the American church as well. The way we move forward is to call out false gospels and proclaim the true gospel:

  1. The Characters of False Teaching: Demons and Liars (4:1-2)

    Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared...

    We should not be shocked when people turn away from the faith because the Word here is telling us that some will drift away. Paul tells us who the characters are who distort the truth:

    • Demons, whose influence is behind false teaching.

    • Hypocritical liars, whose consciences are seared, in contrast to teachers of the truth, who have

      a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5).

      Father, thank You for our faith in Your Son! Please help our pastors always to teach only the true gospel of Jesus!

  2. The Content of False Teaching: Asceticism (4:3)

    ... who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

    The false teaching being addressed in this passage is asceticism, the teaching that rejection of marriage and good food was the way to become more holy. Is there room for fasting? For singleness? Yes, they can be a part of following Jesus, but not a means to holiness. Asceticism is a works-based approach to holiness and salvation, but the only work that can save us is Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

    Father, help our faith not to be in self-denial, but in Jesus, whose blood makes us white as snow.

  3. The Counter to False Teaching: The Truth (4:4-5)

    For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

    Become familiar with the real gospel and you will be equipped to reject the false. Paul is presenting here two key truths to counter the false asceticism in the church, and these truths will help us, too:

    • There is goodness in creation (Genesis 1:31). We need to celebrate every gift that comes from the Giver above – not only marriage and good food, but also salvation, friendships, community, and family.

    • God is the giver of good gifts, and He is the object of our worship. Let us receive His gifts with thanksgiving and prayer. Our lives are meant to be lived in thanksgiving before God.

      Father, we want to live in the true gospel, by receiving all Your gifts with joy. Most of all help us enjoy and love Your Son Jesus, the Savior of our souls, and the author and finisher of our faith.

More in God's House: A Series from 1 Timothy

February 5, 2023

Final Words

January 29, 2023

Fight the Good Fight

January 22, 2023

Godliness with Contentment