1 Timothy 4:6–10 (ESV)
6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
I am amazed by how quickly and easily we are distracted by technology stuff: social media, apps, cell phones, emails, phone calls, television, and binge-watching shows through any number of streaming services. According to John Mark Comer, in his book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, the average person touches their cell phone more than 2,000 times a day! Now I’m not criticizing anyone. In fact, I’m just like everyone else. I’m just saying that we must acknowledge the distractions we find in the palm of our hands. People are walking around looking at their phones (I’m guilty), looking at their phones at the movies (guilty again—especially if the movie is slow or boring!). People are driving and distracted by their phones so much so that we’ve had to make laws to prohibit this activity (yet it’s still done). People sit at social gatherings, ignoring others around them because they are distracted by their phones. I’ve even seen whole families out to dinner not talking to each other because they are all looking at their phones! If you don’t believe it’s a big deal, then take this challenge. Set up your phone so that you don’t receive notifications for a day. Turn off that chime that lets you know you have a text, picture, email, or update to someone’s status. You might be amazed at the reduction in distractions, I know I am.
It's amazing how easily distracted we are and how difficult it is for us to keep our attention focused in one place.
That’s something Paul is addressing with Timothy in this passage, and it centers around the word, train. In verse 6, Paul encourages Timothy to be “trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine …”
A better understanding of the Greek word that we translate as trained would be nourished. Consider the image that comes to mind when you think about being nourished; growing, thriving, health, and strength are all images that come up with the word nourished. That’s what Paul wants for Timothy as he is nourished in faith and relationship with Christ.
Contrast that with “irreverent, silly myths” which add nothing to us. It’s like empty calories that do nothing to help us grow, thrive, or add strength to our bodies. These myths, these distractions, in Timothy’s day were the empty calories of the culture that kept people from being nourished in faith. Paul wants two things for Timothy here. One, for Timothy to avoid these silly myths personally and in his ministry, and two, to encourage people to be nourished in their faith. In other words, keep their focus on Christ alone.
That’s the focus of the passage from Paul to Timothy. What about you? Where is your focus, and how are you being nourished in your faith? What distractions are your empty calories? How are you growing in your faith and relationship with Jesus? We could all contribute big lists of how we might be nourished in faith, but let me suggest just a couple of meaty, wholesome meals for you:
- Your own time alone with Jesus each day to read, pray, and listen (five minutes for each one?).
- A couple of people who have permission to speak into your life to encourage, comfort, and urge you to live for Christ in all that you say and do.
- Two minutes of silence each day. No music, not moving, no other activity.
- A group of believers whom you invest in and mentor who are younger than you.
- A community of faith to which you are committed in worship and fellowship.
- And how about a real Sabbath Day each week—explore that option in Comer’s book and what it can mean for your faith, your health, and your life.
There are many more, but these are core spiritual nourishments that feed our relationship with Jesus, enabling us to grow, thrive, and be healthy and strong in our faith.
God bless you and have a wonderful day, and know that I am praying for you constantly.
Scott