Leadership Lesson #5

"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 and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on 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. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4 NIV

After Paul tackled leadership requirements on the first three chapters of his letter to Timothy, in the next chapters, he gave him more reminders. Let us talk about five of them.

1) There will come a time when church leaders will teach things which originated from the enemy. These teachers will be hypocrites and liars. Among their teachings will be people should not get married and people should abstain from certain foods.

2) Paul advised Timothy not to follow myths and old wives tales. The sad part is that these false teachers will cause many to lose their way.

3) He also reminded him to set an example for other believers in the way he speaks and in his conduct, through his love, his faith and his clean living.

4) Paul told him to devote himself diligently to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. This is the life that people will see in public, what they do not see will be hours of studying and spending time with the Lord in his private time.

5) And lastly, to watch the way he lives his life and the Christian doctrine which he has been taught.

He also reminded him that He should not allow others to look down on him because he is younger than them.

Keeping in mind that he was chosen to do the things he is doing. And that things may not be easy, but his mandate and his hope comes from the Lord, and to persevere in everything he might be facing and will face in the future.