Test Teachers

1 Timothy 4:1-16

I. Expect Bad Teachers

A. As time advances, some teachers will abandon the Holy Spirit for bad doctrines taught by bad sources. “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.” (1 Timothy 4:1)

1. Evil will mirror mock the work of God; just as God guides into truth, evil guides into error. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13)

2. Expect supernatural evil seeking to distract teachers and harm believers. “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:18)

B. The false teachers will teach doctrines which conflict with known revelation from God; doctrine that contradicts doctrine is wrong. “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 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.” (1 Timothy 4:2-3)

1. The church has experienced shadowy times in the past when people have preferred sin to truth. “I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.” (Jeremiah 23:14)

2. Sometimes only election only is strong enough to protect Christians against the power and influence of evil teachers and false doctrine. “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24)

C. God has made everything good and made it available for use when it is received from Him with thanksgiving. “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4-5)

D. God did not make anything which was corrupt in itself at the start. “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)

E. Peter was given specific instructions making all kinds of food acceptable; to change the rule is to oppose revelation. “And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.” (Acts 11:7-9)

II. Practice Self-protection

A. Good doctrine protects against bad doctrine, so teach good doctrine in self-defense. “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.” (1 Timothy 4:6)

B. Do not tolerate questionable teachings; concentrate on things which promote godliness. “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.” (1 Timothy 4:7)

C. Here is a confessional testimony; exercising physically has limited application, but Bible study and the related means of grace carry eternal rewards. “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. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.” (1 Timothy 4:8-9)

D. Paul and his associates endured struggles because God rewards faithfulness. “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10)

III. Teach the Right Things

A. Paul’s doctrine is not optional. “These things command and teach.” (1 Timothy 4:11)

B. Integrity matters more than things like age; do not let minor things become distractions. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

C. Concentrate on the three primary functions of Christian teachers. “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” (1 Timothy 4:13)

D. Concentrate on the gift God gave and which the leaders of the church recognized. “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.” (1 Timothy 4:14)

E. Think through what God is doing. “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.” (1 Timothy 4:15)

F. Pay particular attention to mastering genuine doctrine and being mastered by it; such an attitude will benefit both the teacher and the student. “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Timothy 4:16)