Guarding Yourself and the Doctrine
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Guarding Yourself and the Doctrine
Guarding Yourself and the Doctrine
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Previously we had looked at this chapter in our 12 Marks of the Man of God series. Together we studied the qualifying marks of ministry.
1. A watchman (4:6a)
2. A good servant (4:6b)
3. A student of Scripture (4:6c)
4. Avoids false doctrine (4:7a)
5. Disciplines himself for godliness (4:7b-9)
5. Disciplines himself for godliness (4:7b-9)
6. A hard worker (4:10)
7. Teaches with authority (4:11)
8. An example of spiritual maturity (4:12)
In today’s session, we will conclude our series by looking at the final four marks of the man of Gd which are:
9. A biblical ministry (4:13)
10. Doesn’t neglect his calling (4:14)
11. Consumed with his calling (4:15a)
12. Progressing in spiritual growth (4:15b)
Paul concludes this portion of his letter to Timothy by giving him two more imperatives: keep a close watch on yourself and on the doctrine (teaching).
Guard Yourself
Guard Yourself
Take heed unto thyself (KJV)
Pay close attention to yourself (NASB)
Watch your life (NIV)
Keep a close watch on how you life (NLT)
The first thing any minister (or Christian) must watch is themselves. Not only the outward life, but also the inner life.
Your first responsibility is your own salvation and holiness. Personal growth in sanctification and godliness takes precedent before ministering to others.
Robert M'Cheyne, a minister in Scotland in the 1800’s, who was a man of prayer and a student of Scripture, writing to a ministerial friend, who was traveling with a view to perfecting himself in the German tongue, used language identical with our own:–"I know you will apply hard to German, but do not forget the culture of the inner man–I mean of the heart. How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his saber clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God's sword, his instrument–I trust, a chosen vessel unto him to bear his name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfection of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”
You have to be a disciple before you can disciple others. Practicing what you preach is of upmost importance. If others are going to be under your influence and ministry, then you should be under the authority and ministry of another. When you aren’t ministering you should be in church participating the service as a servant, worshiper and listener of the gospel.
Like the master chef in the kitchen preparing the finest of meals to his guests, the minister first tastes and digests what he will serve to others.
The spiritual well of your life should always be full. The outward ministry flows from the inner spiritual well. Keep your well filled at all times.
Spiritual Well
Spiritual Well
Prayer
Prayer
Bible Reading and Study
Fasting
Listen and apply the gospel
Your Spiritual Well will indicate if you are “spiritually well.”
Guard the Doctrine
Guard the Doctrine
Does the doctrine need to be guarded? We are to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints (). Paul tells Timothy to fight the good fight of faith (). The Christian minister should contend for the faith, fight the good fight of faith, and guard the faith.
Where the faith and doctrine begin to compromised, warped and twisted is in the hands of those who have not kept a watch on themselves. Carnality, pride, selfish ambition, envy, and all kinds of the works of the flesh seek to deceive the minister. Those who once contended for the faith, who are now compromising the faith have more than likely compromised their own spiritual life. In doing so the water down or twist doctrine to suit their own lifestyle and short-comings.
Deception is attracted to carnality. Eve was deceived by temptation, Demas was deceived by a love for the present world, Judas was deceived by a love for money. Deception comes in all shapes and sizes, and if the minister does not guard himself, then the doctrine will be compromised.
This is why you need a steady diet of Scripture, theology, doctrine, and gospel truth. What are you feeding your faith? Are you transforming your mind with the Word of God, or are you conforming to this world with the philosophies and doctrines of devils?
The phrase “Keep a close watch” in the Greek conveys the idea of holding fast, being attentive, hold firmly to, to watch closely with the mind and eyes.
Excerpt From: Charles H. Spurgeon. “Lectures to My Students.” iBooks. https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/lectures-to-my-students/id542277604?mt=11
Benefits of Guarding Yourself and the Doctrine
Benefits of Guarding Yourself and the Doctrine
“Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers”
By keeping a close watch on himself and the doctrine it will benefit both himself and his hearers. It will bring salvation for him and his hearers. Eternal salvation demands perseverance.
Keeping a close watch on yourself takes persistence. This is a daily calling, and task. You are never off-duty from guarding yourself and the doctrine.
You do not save yourself, and you do not save your hearers. It takes the work of Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit to save us. But Jesus said, “If you abide in my Word, then you are truly disciples of mine” (). Daily we are dependent on the relationship of Jesus Christ. Attempts to do it on your own are futile. Abide in Christ and you will be fruitful.
For a soul-winner to save others and lose his own soul is a tragedy. For one to save his own soul and have his hearers lost for eternity is no less tragic. The minister is to guard, and keep a close watch on both.