(1 Tim 4:8b) “….but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. (9)  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.”  Salvation is not, “When I die I hope I will go to heaven.” Salvation is something given by God in this life that changes you, giving you a desire to please Him. The desire to live a godly life, pleasing the Lord by our actions is the result. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor 5:17)

(1Ti 4:8) “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”  Once again we have the priorities of life. It does not say, “There is no profit in exercise.” It says in comparison, godliness is first and foremost if you wish to be blessed. What is godliness? It is seeking to think and act as God has revealed in His Word.

(1Ti 4:7)  “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” If it is not Bible refuse it! Put nothing up to the level of God’s Word in the guidance and decisions of this life. This includes what we “think”. Look not to man for help, for he is as powerless as you. His wisdom is no better than yours. But remember, wisdom includes first and foremost a deep fear and reverence towards God.  

(1Ti 4:6)  “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”  Notice the nourishment of his soul and spirit – “the Words of faith and good doctrine” – the Bible! Truth: the spiritual comes before and stands over the physical in importance. Keep your priorities straight. Never eat physical food if you have not partaken first of spiritual food. Your soul and spirit are more important that the physical body you possess.

(1 Tim 4:4) “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: (5)  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”  Is the Word of God true? Yes, every word. Then, “…nothing to be refused, IF…..”  it is prayed over. Therefore to not give thanks is not to have it sanctified, separated as holy for your body, and therefore no longer good for you. Do we eat without being thankful? Then it is no longer good for you.

 (1Ti 4:3)  “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (4)  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: (5)  For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”  These teachings are coming from (v1) “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils”. Point: they focus the individual upon the physical rather than the spiritual. There is pride in doing. Pride is of the devil. There is humility is submitting to God. His focus is upon your inner man, not your outward.

(1Ti 4:1)  “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;” Child of God, since God’s ways are not our natural ways they often go against what we would naturally think. The devil’s ways goes along with what we would naturally think. How will I know the difference? Do not except instruction on face value. You must turn to the New Testament Epistles Romans – Jude) and slowly read them and apply them to your life.

 (1Ti 4:1)  “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”  Notice it is the Holy Spirit speaking “expressly” – pointedly. We are to remember that Satan works deceitfully. Ignorance of the Bible leads to error. Fallen spirits seek to lead us away from the Word, speaking things that are in reality against God’s Word. If you fail to spend time daily with the Lord in His Word, you are open to be led astray.  

(1Ti 3:15) “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”   “The pillar and ground of the truth” – that is, the Bible – “Thy Word is truth”. We do not hold church tradition over truth. We do not hold church doctrine over the truth of God’s Word. If we cannot find our traditions or our so-called “Church Doctrine” solidly in the Bible, then it is to be rejected by every truly saved person. By the way, there is no “continuing revelation”. The Bible is complete and not to be added unto.

(1Ti 3:15) “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”  There “is” a proper and an improper way of conducting ourselves in the House of God. Sure, we should learn to conduct ourselves the same way at all times, but above all things in the House of God “He” comes first. He is to be pleased and glorified – not ourselves. I am afraid that some things we might do are really for ourselves and not for Him, if we should be honest. God help us to focus our hearts and minds upon He Who suffered to pay for our sinful self-centeredness!