November 8, 2025 - 1 Timothy 4

“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, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 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” (4:1-5).

Here is an important warning for us.  There are those, led by demonic spirits (Yes, Paul is that blunt in identifying the source of these false teachings.), who will, like the Pharisees, establish all sorts of requirements and prohibitions, their own commandments that must be obeyed in order to be right with God.  You know what this is called:  legalism.  Paul writes that these teachings are “silly myths.”  Furthermore, though, yes, we are called to holiness and are to train ourselves for godliness, “We have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (4:7-8).  By grace alone!

Ev’y promise we can make

Ev’ry prayer and step of faith

Ev’ry diff'rence we will make

Is only by His grace

Ev’ry mountain we will climb

Ev’ry ray of hope we shine

Ev’ry blessing left behind

Is only by His grace

Grace alone which God supplies

Strength unknown He will provide

Christ in us our Cornerstone

We will go forth in grace alone.   -- Scott Wesley Brown; Jeff Nelson (2010)