Believer, Are You Rejecting Sound Teaching And On A Path That Leads To Myths?

Today we start our look at the warnings Paul gave us in his letter to Timothy. In a day of ear tickling preachers, it is more critical than ever to understand the warnings in the New Testament. They have been forgotten in most pulpits.

Paul will later tell his spiritual son Timothy about the time which we are now in. We each must judge ourselves. Could it be that we have refused to listen to the truth and gone after our own desires? Are we on a path that turns to myths? Thousands of teachers such as Joel Osteen have risen up to make their followers feel comfortable in their sin. In 2 Timothy 4 ISV we read:

• 1In the presence of God and the Messiaha Jesus, who is going to judge those who are living and those who are dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly appeal to you 2to proclaim the message. 
• Be ready to do thisb whether or not the time is convenient. Refute, warn, and encourage with the utmost patience when you teach. 
• 3For the time will come when people will not tolerate healthy doctrine, but with itching ears will surround themselves with teachers who cater to their people’s own desires. 
• 4They will refuse to listen to the truth and will turn to myths. 
• 5But you must be clear-headed about everything. Endure suffering. Do the work of an evangelist. Devote yourself completely to your ministry.

Paul gives us a list of sins in verse 8 below, which keep us out of the kingdom of God. If we are practicing any of these sins we must repent, turn from our sin and obey the gospel. We must follow Jesus. Do not be deceived. It is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon those who disobey. Ephesians 5:6 

1 Timothy 1 ISV

3When I was on my way to Macedonia, I urged you to stay in Ephesus so that you could instruct certain people 

• to stop teaching false doctrine 4and occupying themselves with myths and endless genealogies. These things promote controversies rather than God’s ongoing purpose, which involves faith. 
• 5The goal of this instruction is love that flows from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith. 
• 6Some people have left these qualities behind and have turned to fruitless discussion. 7They want to be teachers of the Law, yet they do not understand either what they are talking about or the things about which they speak so confidently.

8Of course, we know that the Law is good if a person uses it legitimately, 9that is, if he understands that the Law is not intended for righteouse people but for 

• lawbreakers 
• and rebels, 
• for ungodly people 
• and sinners, 
• for those who are unholy 
• and irreverent, 
• for those who kill their fathers, 
• their mothers, or other people, 
• 10for those involved in sexual immorality, 
• for homosexuals, 
• for kidnappers,
• ffor liars, 
• for false witnesses, 
• and for whatever else goes against the healthy teaching 11that agrees with the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

12I thank the Messiahg Jesus, our Lord, who gives me strength, that he has considered me faithful and has appointed me to his service. 13In the past I was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violenthman. But I received mercy because I acted ignorantly in my unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed toward me,i along with the faith and love that are in the Messiahj Jesus. 15This is a trustworthy saying that deserves complete acceptance:k

To this world Messiahl came,

sinful people to reclaim.m

I am the worst of them. 16But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the worst sinner,n the Messiaho Jesus might demonstrate all of his patience as an example for those who would believe in him for eternal life. 17Now to the King Eternal—the immortal, invisible, and only God—be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.