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"Now the Spirit expressly says..."

Text: 1 Timothy 4:1

GODLY INSTRUCTION

The apostle Paul gave good and godly advice to Timothy so that he could fulfil his role as a faithful shepherd of the Church. The sources of the advice given may be traced to the following:

1. The Scriptures

a) Paul was deeply committed to studying the Scriptures.

i) For instruction

ii) For inspiration

b) From Revelation

i) What Paul called “mysteries”.

(ii) This would require the special ministry of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2).

A SPECIAL WORD FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT

We have a very clear reference to the work of the Holy Spirit in the following text.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times
some will depart from the faith, giving heed to
deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”

1 Timothy 4:1

1. “Now the Spirit”

a) Paul was speaking about inspiration from the Holy Spirit in this text.

b) This entails the following:-

i) This is like a prophetic word.

ii) The Spirit gave to Paul a revelation concerning the future.

iii) It would take nothing less than revelation from the Spirit to be able to write about this.

2. “Expressly says”

a) The word “expressly” carries the idea of something quite specific.

b) This is not just a general and vague idea.

3. “In latter times some will depart from the faith”

a) This is a reference to apostasy.

b) The departure from the historic Christian faith was predicted.

4. “Giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons”

a) The source is stated sombrely.

b) Evil spirits would influence some to depart from the historic faith the apostles espoused.