1 Timothy 4:1–10 (NKJV)
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
The demonic doctrine which deceives many teaches that outward discipline by itself pleases God and increases one’s holiness. Some will abstain from marrying or from marital relations within marriage, thinking this abstention is a holier state. Others fast from certain foods, imagining that living according to the Old Testament dietary restrictions pleases God and increases holiness. But the Gospel teaches that everything “is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” Sexual relations within marriage are good and God-pleasing because they are an expression of the one flesh union. Husband and wife may abstain for a time for prayer, but this disciple does not make them holy. Fasting is a way to discipline one’s flesh and tame its wicked desires. But fasting does not make one holy.
St. Paul writes, “Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Bodily exercises—the abstaining from certain good gifts of God—are to be used in our exercise toward godliness, but of themselves they are not godliness. Godliness, which can also be translated ‘piety,’ means reverence for God in one’s heart and life. The exercise of godliness is the daily training ourselves in contrition, faith, and serving our neighbor in love. Reverence in the heart toward God is daily confessing our sins and believing God’s promises in the gospel. Reverence for God in one’s life means living holy lives according to His holy Word. We train ourselves in godliness with the Holy Spirit’s aid because it is God’s will and it is good for us. “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6). It profits in this life by keeping us focused on the things of God rather than the temptations of the world and flesh. Godliness profits in the life to come because it keeps us in the faith in the midst of life’s dangers and prepares us for the life of the world to come.
Heavenly Father, give us Your Holy Spirit so that we exercise ourselves toward godliness everyday. Amen.
