1 Timothy 4:16

New International Version (NIV)

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

For Meditation

Life and doctrine, two inseparable treasures of every Christian that requires vigilance!  It’s like a horse and its rider. If either picks any wrong signal, there could be chaos. If the horse is going to be healthy, strong, and responsive to its rider, it has to be well nourished and well trained by the rider.  The same could be said of life and doctrine.

If our life is going to be godly, our doctrine, the body of truth bequeathed to us by God, must be pure and unadulterated. This is important because the Christian life is simply the outflow of sound biblical doctrine. Doctrine drives and gives direction to our life. The two, therefore, must be jealously guarded against the pollution of the world, the cravings of the flesh, and the deception of the enemy.

Solomon spoke to this in another way in Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” In other words, we must ensure that whatever we allow into our heart would positively influence the life that would ultimately flow out of it. It must shape our perspective in a godly manner and direct our feet in firm places (25-26). Discipline and diligence are crucial to this (27).

The pollution of the world is so dense that one could hardly see their way through it. There are too many voices to deceive the Christian pilgrim, multiple propositions to confuse and deceive, beauty to charm, handicaps to frustrate, and pain and suffering to weary the soul. Unflinching faith, anchored on sound biblical truths, a strong determination to pursue holiness, and watchfulness are essentials for the survival kit we bring along. That’s why Paul advised Timothy to “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1Tim. 4:16).

1. Good counsel; but who is listening?
2. How often do we assess the trajectory of our lives in light of sound biblical doctrine?
3. How many of us listen to sermons, teachings, Christian music, discussions and counseling through the filters of the Bible?
4. How much space do we give to the Holy Spirit in this exercise and how much of it is intelligence driven?
5. When it comes down to it, what do we want in life and who do we want to please (Eph. 4: 12-13; 1 Cor. 10:31)?

I pray our answer is Christ Jesus and not ourselves, because it makes all the difference in the quality of investment we make in it.

So: May eternity drive your perspectives; and may the joy of the heavenly welcome and the crown of righteousness motivate you to watch your life and doctrine closely and persevere in them.

It is not only our lives that are at stake, but those of our loved ones too.

Shalom