1 Timothy 4:1-16
Beliefs in Later Times
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Mark 8:34-38
The Way of the Cross
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
John 8:31-32
Jesus' Followers Follow His Teachings
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Jesus is Truth, and what He teaches is true...And by following Him we lead a full and abundant life, because the Truth helps set us free from the earthly desires...
I once heard in a Christian debate that people do not remain static and in tune with their beliefs about the Bible...The main point the non-believer and debater was making was that over time things change and so do people's beliefs...Then the majority of people grow towards these beliefs...Then the non-biblical viewpoint becomes the norm...The majority then over time have warmed up to the idea and that non-biblical belief and that belief becomes part of their belief system and becomes part of a larger belief system of many...
This maybe true that beliefs change and adjust, but that does not make the non-biblical belief right or true...
When Paul wrote to Timothy, he wrote about this very thing…St. Paul said that the Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons...Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron...They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth...For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer...
The Holy Spirit knew that we would veer away from the Bible and listen to other things and other views and worldviews...God and prayer remain with us today, and we should be using both...When we take views counter to Jesus, they are not true or tight...By not following His teachings we are abandoning our faith, if we fail to follow Jesus' ideas...Jesus told those who believed in Him that if we hold to His teachings, then we are really His disciples...Then we will know the Truth, and the Truth will set us free...