ADULT CONTENT: Doctrine is Better

Recap:

Some people believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin (accomplish by His death on the cross), but they dismiss His offer of righteousness (accomplished by His perfect life on earth). If you don't believe that Jesus' righteousness has been imputed to you then you'll work your booty off trying to create your own righteousness. Disbelief in imputed righteousness gives way to legalism. Trust in imputed righteousness gives way to a life of praise and glad obedience for what Jesus has done.

Questions (*indicates assists with answers):

1- Read 1 Timothy 4:1. What are the teachings of demons, and how might one protect him/herself from them?

*Demonic teaching is the assertion that there is something better...more fulfilling that God. We see this clearly in the enticement of Eve in Genesis 3.

2- Read 1 Timothy 4:2. The text says that the purveyors of demonic teaching have seared consciences. Searing is a process (a relatively expeditious one, but a process none the less). How do you suppose that happens and are you engaged in any activities that may be producing a "searing" effect on you?

3-Read 1 Timothy 4: 3-4. The particular legalism to which Paul responds taught that through abstention from certain pleasures (marriage and good food) one might prove himself righteous. Why is this teaching inaccurate?

*Righteousness is an internal issue, not an external one. The problem of unrighteousness is ingrained in our nature. It will take something more than abstention to transform us.

4-Read 1 Timothy 4:5. How do the Word of God and prayer make things clean?

*The Word of God refers to the Gospel, and prayer is the thing that aligns us with God's heart. When the Gospel and prayer are transforming your heart it allows you to partake in all of the pleasure God created without worshiping/going after the pleasures. Instead those pleasures actually become catalysts for worship/going after God who gave you the pleasure. That makes things clean because they are being used for their intended purpose (e.g. Sex is a great gift from God, but when misused it can become one of the filthiest practices in which we engage).