Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

 (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!   

(1Ti 3:13)  “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  The idea here is that one who qualifies for and serves in such a capacity has earned a place of respect to be used in the furtherance of the faith – influencing others. Service to and in the Lord, is always others, not self. We are to spend and be spent in the service of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

(1Ti 3:12_ “ Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.”  Being in subject unto the husband/father reveals that he is one who is respected and thus loved. Isn’t that the principal seen in Jesus’ Words, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” If you love Him, you will obey. If you respect Him, you will obey. If one respects their husband, they will follow him. If they love their father, they will obey him.

(1Ti 3:11)  “Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.” When it comes to pastors and deacons, their wives also have to be considered. Why?  Husbands and wives are of one spirit as well as body before the Lord. We get this truth from Malachi where God says He hates the breaking of the covenant of marriage: (Mal_2:15) “And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.”

(1Ti 3:10)  “And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.”  A deacon’s responsibility is in the area of finances – period (Acts Chapter 6). Such a person needs to be well known by the congregation – proved. Also, there is a tendency to put one in office that does not meet the spiritual qualifications. This is to never be. A church’s finances are God’s finances, needing spiritual men who are willing to follow the Spirit of God’s direction.

(1Ti 3:9)“Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.”  The mystery of the faith is the gospel that was hid among prophecy in the Old Testament. In order to have a pure conscience regarding it two things must be: 1) One must be born again, made alive in Christ, having received the gift of everlasting life; and 2) must be faithful in the sharing of the gospel with others, working through the local church.