Keeping My Eyes on Jesus
Greetings in the Lord!
Today's verse is from I Timothy 4:1-8:
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
It is important to remember that the apostle Paul is using food and marriage restrictions as examples of religious or legalistic mentalities of some Christians---but it could be any such case where people try to obtain righteousness through their own efforts, intellect, or works! It is amazing how many Christians embrace "religious" ideas and behaviors not realizing the idolatry that is behind such endeavors. And of course, that is how they get misled--because behind every idol is a deceiving spirit. Also realize that man-made religious traditions and "spiritual" distinctions are not rooted in Christ. They are created by man, for man, and then get passed down from generation to generation. I pray today that the Lord will open our hearts and minds to see any kind of religious deception that we may be embracing so we can quickly let go of it and put our eyes back on Jesus.
In Jesus name I pray ~Amen
Today's verse is from I Timothy 4:1-8:
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
It is important to remember that the apostle Paul is using food and marriage restrictions as examples of religious or legalistic mentalities of some Christians---but it could be any such case where people try to obtain righteousness through their own efforts, intellect, or works! It is amazing how many Christians embrace "religious" ideas and behaviors not realizing the idolatry that is behind such endeavors. And of course, that is how they get misled--because behind every idol is a deceiving spirit. Also realize that man-made religious traditions and "spiritual" distinctions are not rooted in Christ. They are created by man, for man, and then get passed down from generation to generation. I pray today that the Lord will open our hearts and minds to see any kind of religious deception that we may be embracing so we can quickly let go of it and put our eyes back on Jesus.
In Jesus name I pray ~Amen
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