1 Timothy 4:1 (nasb)

But the spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

It seems once again the Lord is trying to pound an idea into my head via repetition. (He is so smart, for he knows me well enough to know it is only through repetition that I get some things through my thick skull.) I only got to the first verse here in 1 Timothy 4 before I had to stop and pray and begin thinking about what I have read throughout 1 Timothy.

I believe that once again God is showing me, and teaching me how important it is to stay focused on His Word. It is so easy to be swayed or led away from Him if I am not constantly in His word. It is also easy to get into foolish discussion or debate about what the Bible may or may not say. I am also always tempted to seek the wisdom of others instead of sticking with just the Bible and the Holy Spirit. But I must stay focused. I must fix my eyes on the Gospel alone. I must pour over God’s Word and hide it in my heart until I know it forward and backward and can rattle it off in my sleep.

This is not a new revelation, God is so consistant throughout His Word to remind us to remain in it. In fact, there are several reminders of this in the beginning of 1 Timothy, for example, in 1 Timothy 1:4 (ESV) it says:

[people should not] devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

and 1 Timothy 1:5-6 (ESV) says:

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion,

We are to be about the purposes of God; loving others and taking care of His kingdom here on Earth, out of our great love for Him. We should be busy about the work of God, too busy to fill our minds with useless garbage from the world around us. If we are putting our faith to action, loving others and studying His Word, we will have little time or tolerance for the silly and unmeaningful.

Father, help me today to take my study of Your Holy Word seriously. Help me to remember to put you first above all things. Please help me to love others, and to hide Your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. Also, Lord help me to remember those things I learn in your word and ponder them in my heart. Mary knew to do this when she experienced your great miracle, help me also to ponder Christ and let the miracle fill my heart so that all I do and say is an overflow of my great thankfullness for what You have done.