Christians are sometimes tempted to engage in meaningless quarrels and debates over nonessential beliefs. This was the case in the Ephesian church where Timothy ministered. Godless chatter spread throughout the body of Christ like gangrene-a dangerous condition and a type of body tissue death. False teachers, like Hymenaeus and Philetus, fostered heresies that went so far as to even deny the resurrection of the dead. What was Timothy to do? Was the solution for him to become better at debating? Not at all! He was to live a life that was pleasing to God and teach the gospel in a clear, straightforward way. Such a worker is like a gold or silver article in a large house that is reserved for special purposes. Those who cleanse themselves of false teaching and chatter are holy and useful to God.

Timothy, still in his youth, may have been inclined to get involved in such quarrels and debates. However, Paul instructed him to flee from such desires and to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace instead. Confrontation rarely works. The best form of correction is to teach the truth in kindness and love and then trust God to lead others to repentance and the truth.


Application: Father, grant us your Spirit to live godly lives and to teach your word with clarity and love.
One Word: Correctly handle the word of truth