1 Timothy 4:11-16
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 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.
I tend to think of my struggles as only affecting me, but in reality I am also setting an example for others. Even though we may try to keep our behaviors secret, in God's wisdom they eventually are exposed. Paul commands Timothy in verse 12 to "set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity". Later he commands us to "practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress" (verse 15). Our families and friends are watching our lives. What kind of example are we setting for them? Do they notice the progress in our lives?
Lord, help me to be an example of purity.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 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.
I tend to think of my struggles as only affecting me, but in reality I am also setting an example for others. Even though we may try to keep our behaviors secret, in God's wisdom they eventually are exposed. Paul commands Timothy in verse 12 to "set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity". Later he commands us to "practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress" (verse 15). Our families and friends are watching our lives. What kind of example are we setting for them? Do they notice the progress in our lives?
Lord, help me to be an example of purity.