REJECTING GOODNESS
I. Rejecting God (1-2)
II. Neglecting God’s Goodness
III. Accepting God’s Goodness
1 Timothy 4:1-5
Intro: Paul continues to exhort young Pastor Timothy.
I. REJECTING GOD (1-2) Now, this word provides a sharp contrast to the previous teaching on the
“Mystery of Godliness” (1 Timothy 4:16). Paul NOW speaks of the “Mystery of Iniquity,” which is
revealed in APOSTASY. Apostasy: “a standing away from"; i.e., a falling away, a withdrawal, or defection.
For a clearer understanding, I would like to compare a heretic with an apostate. A heretic is a Christian
who basically accepts and knows the Lord Jesus Christ, but who tends to go wrong in some particular
doctrinal way. But an apostate has never been a Christian, although he testifies that he is. In 1 John
2:19, John the apostle declares that: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had
been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest,
that none of them were of us.
In Matthew 13:24-30, Jesus gave us the parable of the “Wheat and the Tares,” where the sower
planted the good seeds of the kingdom, but the enemy planted tares (fakes or counterfeits). Jesus said
that counterfeits would always be near, but at harvest time be destroyed. Apostates are those who
hang around the church for a time, but eventually fall away.
A. Foretold by the Spirit (1a) “The Spirit expressly says” – Greek: Rhetos; i.e., clear stated terms,
plain
words. The Spirit is plainly telling us that:
1. In Latter Times, Apostasy Would Manifest – This term generally refers to some point of
time later than the time of writing the epistle. Paul declares that in the latter times, evil men will
rise up in the church.
for I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will
come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among
yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw
away the disciples after themselves. Acts 20:29
2. Latter Times is Distinct from the “Last Days” – Our text tells us that in the "latter times,"
some would depart from the faith, but in the time of “Last days,” things would get far worse!
Many in the church would forsake the vital essentials of Christianity. Paul alludes to this in his
second letter to Timothy.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers,
without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors,
headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of
God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And
from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5
(With whom do you associate yourself?)
3. When the Holy Spirit speaks, we should LISTEN! (Hebrews 3:7-13) (PA - Ask Him to
speak/reveal things to
you!)
B. Falling Away (1b) – While the word “DEPART” speaks of apostasy, notice what is it that
apostates fall away from: THE FAITH. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 mentions what this would look like in the last
days:
For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have
itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and
they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned
aside to fables.
This is nothing new to the modern-day church; however, many pastors who fail to rightly divide the
word of truth have allowed such falsehood in their churches...from the pulpit!
1. Paul then taught Timothy how a young pastor should respond! But you be watchful in
all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5
C.
Following Deception (1c) – “Giving heed:” Prosecho; to apply one's self to, attach one's self to,
hold or cleave to a person or a thing. When the essential teachings of Christianity are rejected, it
opens the door to the demonic. Apostates are therefore prime candidates for deception!
1. Deceiving or Seducing Spirits – The word "seducing" comes from a word from which we get our
word "planet." It promotes the idea of wandering (Jude 13). It refers to spirits who would lead
you to wander from the truth; who would lead you astray. The Holy Spirit, however, guides us
into truth (John 16:13).
2. Doctrines of Demons – False teaching doesn't come from clever men. It comes from
demons! Not all false teaching looks demonic on the surface. It's not all cultic or occultist. Some
of it is very subtle...very subtle. In fact, so subtle that we might not even recognize it as such,
unless we look very closely.
Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of
Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of
Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to
you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into
your house nor greet him....” 2 John 1:9-10
(Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.)
3. Summary: Wow! Here you have a person who is exposed to Christian truth, who may
intellectually understand the gospel, who affirms that God is good, and even claims to be
Christian; but because his heart is not truly God's, he is lured away by the seducing spirits who
furnish their doctrines right out of hell. He then turns from the truth to the lies of the devil and
is drawn away from seeking the true faith unto eternal damnation. People, this is happening
even more so today!
The source is demonic, but the means is human. That’s why the Bible warns not only about
doctrines of demons, but it warns also about false human teachers. They have:
D.
Faulty Consciences (2) – Satan uses people who have dead consciences! The word “seared”
means “cauterized.” Just as a person’s flesh can be “branded” so that it becomes hard and
without feeling, so a person’s conscience can be deadened.
1. In Matthew 7:21–29, Jesus made it clear that declaring “Lord, Lord,” or even performing
miracles, does not qualify a person for heaven, but doing God’s will in everyday life. False
teachers are not concerned with God’s will, but their own! True teachers, however, seek to
have a good conscience, teaching and practicing God’s will (cf. 1 Timothy 1:5, 19; 3:9).
2. Paul exposes these as “Men who speak lies in hypocrisy”. These false teachers read the
Word but explain it away through their self-serving lies. They teach a false piety—namely,
“asceticism”; that is, abstaining from marriage and certain foods.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For
Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform
themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be
according to their works. 2 Cor. 11:13–15
CLOSING THOUGHT: An apostate is one who REJECTS GOD, not just someone who is wrong
doctrinally. He is wrong morally! His personal life became wrong before his doctrines were changed.
In fact, it is likely that he changed his teachings so that he could continue his sinful living and pacify his
conscience. Believing and behaving always go together!
II.NEGLECTING GOD’S GOODNESS (3) – Here Paul provides a few examples of demonic doctrines which
wrongfully teach that abstinence from certain things would help them attain a “higher perfection.”
A.
Forbidding Marriage (3a) – God has ordained marriage between a man and a woman to be a
special blessing...it is indeed GOOD! To forbid marriage in order to gain some form of greater
spirituality is truly of a demonic origin. Churches who forbid priests to marry have reaped the
consequences of gross sexual immorality, which ultimately shames the name of Jesus Christ, and
destroys his church!
 In 1 Corinthians 7:2, Paul explains why church-folk should be married: “Because of sexual
immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.” He
goes on to say in 1 Corinthians 7:9, if a person “cannot exercise self-control, then let them
marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion!” Holiness is important to God!
Demonic doctrines promote ungodliness!
B.
Forsaking Foods (3b) – The command to "abstain from meats" was also a thrust at God Himself.
1. After the flood, in Genesis 9:3, God told Noah, “Every moving thing that lives shall be food
for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs.” This tells me that I am clear to
eat a hefty T-Bone steak! (No condemnation there, baby!) Why? Because...
2. Food does not make us more spiritual! But food does not commend us to God; for neither if
we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. 1 Corinthians 8:8
Furthermore, Romans 14:17 says, “ for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
C.
Forsaking God’s Design (3c) – Many do this to win favor with God and show everyone how spiritual
they really are. It is legalism masked with false spirituality. Colossians 2:23 says that, “These things
indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the
body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.”
Neglecting God’s goodness results in dissatisfaction and destruction! It ultimately leads to
departing from the very faith that could have blessed you!
CLOSING THOUGHT: At the end of this letter (1 Timothy 6:20), Paul told young pastor Timothy to
“Guard what was committed to [his] trust” (not neglect it); he was also told to “avoid profane
babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.” Stay away from it, people! Abide in
sound doctrine! Walk in the liberty for which Christ has set you free!
III. ACCEPTING GOD’S GOODNESS (4-5) – Paul now refutes the actions of the apostates by emphasizing
how believers should respond to God’s goodness.
A.
God’s Design (4a) For every creature of God is good. We’re told in Genesis 1:31 that God
saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. If we know God, then we should
know that everything He makes is GOOD, and ACCEPT IT! The Bible declares it; our lives should
testify to it!
B.
God’s Intention (4b) Everything good is meant to be RECEIVED!
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift
and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the
Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of
turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of
truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
James 1:16-18
1. God desires to bless us and do good for us, because He delights in us (because of who He
is!).
2. We should not be consumed with want, but with Him!
“And do not seek what you should eat or what you should
drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the
nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that
you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all
these things shall be added to you.” Luke 12: 29-31
C.
God’s Approval (5) Prayer before a meal is what Paul has in mind here. Notice that the emphasis is
NOT on blessing the food, but rather being THANKFUL FOR THE BLESSING OF GOD’S PROVISION!
1. Do you pray before your meals? It’s a good practice to PAUSE and PRAISE the Lord for His
goodness.
2. We ACCEPT things rightly when we receive them with THANKSGIVING!
CLOSING EXHORTATION is found in 2 Peter 3:17-18:
You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand,
beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being
led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace
and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To
Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.