"Depraved and Deprived"
“Depraved and Deprived”
Blessings folk!
As we continue to see, the Scripture gives us a vast amount of instruction and command related to the life of OneAnother.
One of the primary things is related to Truth.
We are to know Truth.
We are to teach Truth.
We are to live Truth.
Let us look at some of what the Spirit of the Most Hight led Paul to say to Timothy.
Timothy was Paul’s protege.
Paul was reaching the end of his corporeal existence.
He knew this.
Paul was “passing the baton” in the two letters we have that were written to Timothy.
Yes, we are “jumping in the middle” (perhaps we will examine it all later), but for now, read the following…
1 Timothy 6:2b-5
2b Teach and urge these things.
3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
We see the instruction.
Teach these things...the things that had previously be discussed in the letter.
Urge (preach) these things.
Why?
Because the Truth is so lacking today, especially within the Body of Christ.
Deception is rampant.
Ignorance is the norm.
Such should not be.
The Lord gives us some insight into this.
Many will come, and are here, who will teach a doctrine that does not agree with “the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness.”
Yes, these teachings of man will sound good.
They will often speak to the want and desires of the flesh.
Flee from such.
Learn and live the words of the Lord.
Such teaching of man puffs up with conceit.
Such individuals who teach these things understand nothing.
Look at what the Word says.
They:
- have an unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels about words
- produce…
- envy
- dissension
- slander
- evil suspicions
- constant friction among people
I see much of this.
Note how they are described…
- Depraved in mind
- Deprived of the Truth
Lack of Truth will bear deprivation of mind.
Where does this lead?
Selfishness…
Greed…
Lust…
“Imagining that godliness is a means of gain”.
They believe that material gain and goods will be attained by that which is impossible - “fleshly godliness”.
We will look at more next time.
For now…
Be not depraved of mind.
Be not deprived of Truth.
Learn the Truth.
Know the Truth.
Live the Truth.
The life of OneAnother will know Truth and proclaim Truth.