How to Spot a Fake

Before you start todays devotional, ask the Lord to use it to grow you up in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We ended our last lesson on a beautiful high note, declaring what we believe about the Lord Jesus Christ. Now in sharp contrast, Paul draws a hard, sad conclusion: Some believers will abandon the Christian faith. They will follow spirits that deceive and believe what the demons teach. And what’s worse, this apostasy is already happening inside the church.

Stay clear of false teachers, Paul said. Test each spirit to see if they teach doctrine correctly. Do they proclaim that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh and we are saved through His redemption He accomplished for us on the cross?

False teachers who know very little about the Word of God speak as if they are authorities, pretending to be something they are not. They make up lists of things that are supposed to make you godly. Some, like the Essenes, said you shouldn’t marry. Others made up a special diet as if food could make you more acceptable to God.

Some who once professed faith in Jesus Christ as Savior will deny Him. Don’t be distracted or disheartened by this, Paul said. Instead, just keep teaching the Word of God. Remember Timothy was ministering in Ephesus, where false religion and the work of Satan ran rampant. Even so, Paul praised Timothy for staying close to God’s Word. Follow the sound teaching of the gospel, which strengthens you. Keep yourself spiritually fit. Too often, people focus on the don’ts more than what we should be doing: Learn how to walk in the image of Christ. Just like you exercise to strengthen your body, train yourself to walk like Christ.

Paul strengthened his young protégé with a challenge. Don’t let people in your church criticize you because you are young. Instead, be an example to them by not acting like a young fool. After all, your age is not what’s important, but the character of your life should set you apart. Be an example in your speech and behavior by loving people, believing in God, and living a pure life.

Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, and teaching. The church's main function is to get people into the Word of God. This is true for us, too. We can only grow personally by reading the Word for ourselves. Are you further along spiritually today than you were this time last year? Are you growing in grace and the knowledge of Christ? The only way to do so is by reading the great truths of the Word of God.

Paul also encouraged Timothy to use his spiritual gifts. The Spirit of God gives every believer a gift, and Timothy had a gift he was to use. Earlier, the officers of the church had laid hands on Timothy. This meaningful act illustrates a partnership in the ministry. Every minister who is ordained and approved should have hands put on him by those who are partners with him.

Lastly, Paul challenges Timothy—and by extension, every Christian—to be diligent in his study of God’s Word. Anyone who ministers (and that’s all of us) needs to study the Word of God. Give yourself wholly to it. It’s worthy of all you can give to it, and we can never give as much to it as it should have. Invest your time and attention to prioritizing God’s Word in your life.

1. What does the idea of testing every spirit to see if they teach sound doctrine look like in practice?

2. How can we do a better job in our churches of prioritizing character?

3. What are some ways you can practice reading the Word of God aloud, both as an individual and in groups like your family or church?

Additional Resources

Listen to Dr. J. Vernon McGee’s complete teachings on 1 Timothy 3:16—4:6 and 1 Timothy 4:6-16.