KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 6:21 ISV” Although some claim to have it, they have abandoned the faith. May grace be with all of you!”

​

In today’s study,Apostle Paul explains to Timothy that although many claim they have knowledge, they are sadly living a lie. He added that they have rather abandoned the faith. This is a paradox. How could one   have so much knowledge about Jesus yet abandon the faith? Yes, this is not a paradox. Having all the  knowledge about Jesus without  submission to Him places you as far as any other person  who never knew Him .1Co 8:2-3 KJV “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” The scripture shows that knowledge, although very important, means nothing in relation to God if we have no love for Him.

​

What are the true signs of one who has knowledge about Jesus yet has abandoned the faith ?

1. This  man  has no true love for Jesus  

​

2 This person does not worship God in truth. He may worship God, but not a heartfelt one . It is only lip service

​

3 Such people only use God to get what they want without a genuine love  for Him. They do not commit themselves to serving God in His  church. They  attend church only for a need to be met

​

4 Jesus said in Luke 14:26 KJV If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”  There are many

who love themselves so much that they would be so offended when they are looked down on. I may not say they have abandoned the faith, but their love for themselves has made their hearts very cold towards the Lord. We have many backslidden believers.

​

5 When a man has so much knowledge of the scriptures, yet they freely live in sin, without any sense of remorse. Such a person could quote so many scriptures and preach very ‘ powerful’ messages yet break the word with ease. Such a one has denied his faith.

​

Dear Child of God, it is our greatest blessing to love God with all our hearts, souls, and might. This is the greatest commandment. This is what brings us true satisfaction in our souls and true deliverance from every bondage. God does not call for a part of us. He wants everything about us, and there would be nothing for the enemy to take advantage of. Pharaoh said to Moses, “Go and serve the Lord, but let your herds and your flocks stay.Moses answered, “We go with everything and not a hoof will be left behind..Give everything to God.

​

THOUGHT: GOD’S EXPECTATION FROM US IS TO GIVE HIM OUR EVERYTHING OR NOTHING AT ALL

​

FURTHER STUDIES

​

Exo 10:26 KJV” Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.”

​

Deu 6:5 KJV And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 6:20 WEB” Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of what is falsely called knowledge,”

​

A canoe or ship sitting on the edge of the ocean will gradually drift away into the deeper waters and will eventually get lost because it was not secured or properly anchored. Apostle Paul tells Timothy to properly keep all that had been committed to him . Heb 2:1 ISV “For this reason we must pay closer attention to the things we have heard, or we may drift away.” Dear child of God, whether you are a pastor or not, you have to seriously guard the truth that you have received lest you lose it. As a pastor, the flock has also been committed to your trust, and you must diligently guard it. You would be able to do all these by staying diligently with the word of God that you have received.

​

The word says he must turn away from empty words  or defiling words that breed all kinds of evil and negative tendencies. These things come from very wrong associations or individuals who raise baseless arguments and questions that would engender unbelief. Turn away from such people. It does not matter even if they are your close friends. Avoid every negative influence, no matter who the culprit is. In this information age, be careful about the kind of material you watch, listen to, or read.

​

The following scriptures instruct us not to allow any man to take us captive through vain deceit. Col 2:8 ISV “See to it that no one enslaves you through philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to the Messiah.” I have  encountered men of God practising all kinds of supposed spiritual directions that are very questionable. Some take bottles of anointing oil , mention whoever is causing them trouble, and then they crush the bottle on a piece of rock. Their intention is that the enemy’s life would  be crushed in a similar manner.

​

There are so many practices that have no scriptural bases, yet a number of Christians do them. Dear child of God, do not just  do anything you see others doing. You must ask for the scriptural bases for such things. Some of these practices may be getting into witchcraft without your awareness.

Now, any practice that seeks to impose your will over a fellow human being, especially when you are also filled with bitterness against that person, then certainly a witchcraft spirit is functioning through  you. Stay with God’s truth of love and mercy, and you will not be overtaken by any demonic influence.

​

THOUGHT: STICK TO GOD’S REVEALED TRUTH

​

FURTHER STUDIES

​

Joh 13:34 ISV” I’m giving you a new commandment…to love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.”

​

Joh 17:17 ISV” Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 6:19 WEB” laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.”

​

The Lord Jesus speaking on the mount in Matthew 6:20, said,” but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves don’t break through and steal. ” The Lord added that where your treasure is, there would your heart be. The final part of the message the Lord gave is very significant. Your heart talks about that which drives your whole being.

​

Where is your heart located? Is your heart in heaven  in God’s hands or on this earth, in your earthly moth-destroying or rust-corroding substance

​

Our key scripture says that when we are rich in good works, we are laying  up a foundation for our eternal security. 1Ti 6:19 WEB laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life. When you consciously and willingly  give to the needy, the bible says you are laying up in store  for yourself a good foundation waiting for the end of the age, when you will receive all that you laid in store.

​

Certain people with a reprobate mind have made very  negative comments about this very verse. They say it is the pastor’s strategy to make a  profit from them. Quite a number of Christians have unfortunately allowed  this wrong  concept to influence them so much that they have no heavenly expectations.

​

Dear brother or sister, the bible is the inspired word of God. It is never the creation of any man. Please listen to God’s candid promise about your kind deeds. Heb 6:10 WEB” For God is not unrighteous, so as to forget your work and the labour of love which you showed toward his name, in that you served the saints, and still do serve them.” God is faithful to honour His word. He gives you another assurance of faithfulness towards your work for Him. 1Co 15:58 WEB “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Whatever kind deed we do for Him establishes a foundation for our eternal abode in heaven.

​

THOUGHT:GOD WILL SURELY REWARD THE KIND-HEARTED

​

FURTHER STUDIES

​

Psa 41:1 KJV To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.”

​

Pro 14:31 KJV” He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 6:18 WEB “that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share.”

​

God blesses  an individual so that he would be a blessing to the needy. In the economy of God, the less privileged are the responsibility of the blessed. Eph 4:28 WEB” Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labour, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.” The Lord, through Paul, is telling the robber to stop stealing and work with his hands so that he can be a blessing to the needy. This clearly reveals that every Christian ‘s ambition to be rich should primarily be  to relieve the poor, the weak and the helpless from their depravity.

​

Many people, including Christians, have no thought or consideration of the poor in their pursuit of financial freedom. Dear child of God ,you are God’s representative on the earth to do what God would have done for mankind if He were physically living in their midst. This brings you into perfect partnership  with the Lord in discharging His will on the earth. God considers you who gives to the poor as one who has loaned to the Lord. Pro 19:17 KJV” He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

​

Please, can you imagine God repaying a loan with His own term of interest? Do you remember what He said in Luke 6:38? Luke  6:38 KJV” Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” The word says you must be rich in doing good. This means you are a prolific or ready to bless. God always cherishes cheerful givers.

​

THOUGHT:GOD BLESSED US TO BE A BLESSING

​

FURTHER STUDIES

​

Exo 22:25 ISV” If you loan money to my people, to the poor among you, don’t be like a creditor to them and don’t impose interest on them.”

​

Deu 15:7 ISV “If there should be a poor man among your relatives in one of the cities of the land that the LORD your God is about to give you, don’t be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your poor relative.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1Ti 6:17 KJV “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly to enjoy

​

Apostle Paul advises Timothy to charge all those who would be rich , not to be high-minded. To be high-minded is to become haughty or proud. He tells him to tell the brethren not to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God who gives us all  things freely to  enjoy. It is rather unfortunate for certain brethren to feel extremely important and superior to others because they are rich. It is an error for money to define your importance.

​

I have always said that money is indispensable in this world of ours, but money should not be your Lord. The scripture  said they must not trust in uncertain riches but in the Lord.

​

In Matthew 5:1-16, the Lord  gave the Sermon on the Mount. This teaching is also known   as the beatitudes. Someone explained that beatitudes mean happy attitudes. The Lord gave certain actions or attitudes that give us happiness or joy. The first statement made by the Lord is blessed, or happy are the poor in spirit, for such is the Kingdom of God. To be poor in spirit is to place an absolute importance on the need for God and to yearn for His reign over that individual’s life. The word says anyone with such a yearning for God  is blessed or very happy. It brings a state of true fulfilment to that individual.

​

On the flip side, a man who places his trust and fulfilment in his riches deprives his soul of the happiness that the Lord talked about. The bible says many who have trusted in uncertain riches have pierced themselves with many sorrows.

​

Our Lord Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  He said in John 14:27 as follows:” Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

​

The world’s peace is what uncertain riches offers.It promises absolute security,  yet when certain calamity strikes the heart and soul of this man is left bewildered.There are so much that this worldly peace can not truly satisfy the soul and heart  of man with real peace.Do not be deceived by the deceitfulness of riches.Jesus is the only Lord who can satisfy our souls with real or true peace in the face of terrible situations.He is always able to see you through

​

THOUGHT: OUR LORD JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE WHO BRINGS REAL SATISFACTION TO THE CRAVINGS OF EVERY SOUL

​

FURTHER STUDIES

​

Joh 16:33 KJV” These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

​

Mat 13:22 KJV” He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”

​

KEY SCRIPTURE: 1Ti 6:15 KJV” Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;”

​

The scriptures have clearly and abundantly shown that our Lord Jesus is God. Our key scripture informs us that the Lord in “His times”  will show that He is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings and Lord of Lords.

The phrase ‘  in His times’ refers to the end of the world when all mankind shall know that our Lord Jesus is the Only potentate, that is, the ruler with the highest authority.

​

The Lord, at the end of the world, will appear as the judge of all. He would also show himself as the king of kings and Lord of Lords. The kingship and Lordship of Jesus is a truth every man must know and also surrender to Him. The prophet Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 9:6 as follows: Isa 9:6 NHEB” For to us a child is born. To us, a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders, and his name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This verse fully shows the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ

​

It says  his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor. These are the names of the Holy Spirit. John 14 :26

But the Comforter (Counsellor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you.

​

Here, we see the Holy Spirit as a “counsellor.”In Isaiah 9:6, He is also called the Mighty God.Once again, it clearly states He is God. After this, He is called the everlasting Father.This is very amazing. He is the Prince of Peace. Jesus is Lord

​

The essence of learning about the Lordship and kingship of Jesus is to surrender your life to Him or submit to Him totally . When a man bows to His Lordship, that man  comes under the reign of the King of kings and every other king or Lord that ruled over him has ceased. This is the essence of deliverance from every satanic or demonic power. Sin and diseases are all  forms of bondage to another kingdom.

When you admit Jesus reign over your life, you must begin to refuse or resist every form of dominance that robbed you of your peace. You would be free if you insist.

​

THOUGHT: THE GREATEST REALISATION IS TO KNOW THAT JESUS IS LORD, AND THE GREATEST BLESSING IS WHEN YOU SURRENDER TO HIS LORDSHIP

​

FURTHER STUDIES

​

Rev 17:14 KJV” These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”

​

Rev 19:16 KJV” And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 6:14 WEB “that you keep the commandment without spot, blameless until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

​

Apostle Paul comes to the tail end of his letter to Timothy . He now instructs him to keep all the counsels he has given him until the coming of our Lord  Jesus. This is a word to every child of God. The instruction said he must keep it without any spot and be blameless.

​

A look at the letter of Timothy has a number of issues that Paul instructed him on. He spoke about protecting the flock from false teachers. He spoke about the need for him to walk uprightly. He gave him the qualifications of a pastor or bishop. He reminded him  of correction in the church of God. He told  him  not to be partial.

​

He  explained to him why he must not suddenly lay hands on any man, so that He would not be party to anyone’s sins. This referred to taking some time to observe an individual before commissioning him or her into the ministry. Timothy was instructed about the superiority of godliness over bodily exercise. He was reminded about the gift that was imparted unto him through the laying on of the  hands of the presbytery. He was called to wage a good warfare by the prophet who was given to him.

​

Apostle Paul explained to him that he must meditate on all that he had taught him,  and give himself wholly to doing it. This would cause him to profit or make a positive impact in his life and all they that hear him. The above are just a few of all that he instructed him.

​

Dear child of God, you must carefully go through all that has been laid down and prayerfully go through them. Your life would be enriched with the truth, and you would be blameless as well as made ready to meet the Lord.

​

We live at a time where materialism has entered the church of God, and as a result, many are bereft of true love for God. For many has  become a place of entertainment rather than a house of transformation.

​

A good attention to all that the book of the first letter of Timothy teaches would keep you from the errors of ignorant men, as well as being controlled  by the flesh. Trust the Spirit of God to work these things through you as you yield to Him.

​

THOUGHT:THE KNOWLEDGE AND A YIELDING TO THE TRUTH WOULD SURELY MAKE YOU FREE.

​

FURTHER STUDY

​

1Ti 4:15 KJV” Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”

​

2Ti 2:15 KJV” Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 6:13 KJV I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

​

Our Lord Jesus stood before Pilate, the Roman Governor designated for the Jewish people and was never afraid  in the  minutest sense ; He  boldly declared the truth. Joh 19:10 KJV Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?” The Lord also answered  him as  follows:Joh 19:11 KJV” Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

​

Although  Pilate  had the power either to release Jesus or Crucify Him , the Lord gave no regard to who Pilate claimed he was. He spoke the truth. The bible said that just after Jesus had answered him that way, Governor Pilate had wanted to set  Him free.

​

Dear one, our confession has so much impact on how things turn out for us. The bible says our Lord Jesus is the High Priest of our confession. Heb 3:1 KJV” Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;” What does this statement mean?

​

The Lord Jesus as our  High Priest  represents  us before God.

He stands by every word we speak to enforce it, so long as that word is in agreement with what the word of God  says. If the word  is not scriptural ,the Lord would have nothing to do with it.

​

Please, dear, one life is like a  court scene. Our activities, especially our words, have a great impact on the outcome of events in our lives. Our words either condemn us or justify us. Mat 12:37 KJV, “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned”

As Jesus did not allow fear to make Him bow  to the threats that surrounded Him, His  fearless answer made that man of authority rather decide to favourably respond to Him , although the decision of the multitude prevailed.

​

A look at the scriptures shows that salvation comes  to us through our belief in what God says and confessing it boldly. Rom 10:9,10.I said earlier that life is like a court scene, where our Lord Jesus is our lawyer and the devil is the accuser. Any word that opposes the scriptures gives the accuser the upper hand to demand before the Judge of the universe to allow that word to prevail in your life. If you say sickness is killing you, Satan would demand that the word you have said should prevail in your life. God, the judge, would have no right to stop  that word from prevailing in your life.

​

Dear one, no matter the dangers or threats that prevail, decide to say what God’s word says. This is the good confession that makes you win always.

​

THOUGHT: SPEAKING THE WORD  OF TRUTH WOULD ALWAYS MAKE THE ACCUSER INEFFECTIVE AGAINST  YOU.

​

FURTHER STUDIES

​

Num 14:28 KJV” Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:”

​

Pro 18:20 -21 KJV A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

KEY SCRIPTURE 1Ti 6:12 KJV” Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”:

​

In our last study, we introduced the topic fight the good fight of faith. Today, we would consider how to fight the good fight of faith, dealing with satanic attacks. Satanic attacks are real.

​

A sister said that each time she slept, a man appeared in her dream to sleep with her. This encounter leaves her with a urinary tract infection. Another lady also dreamt of her arm  being bitten by a snake in her dream. She woke up to see a kind of a bite or a sting on her arm. The whole thing turned cancerous and later killed her. Some people not only encounter these things in their dreams but also physically  see certain personalities or creatures at night in their rooms, and they go through all kinds of ordeals. Some are in real torment.

​

If you find yourself in such a condition, you must fight the good fight of faith to free yourself. If you speak in tongues, please spend some time praying in tongues. If you do not pray in tongues, look for scriptural verses that speak of Jesus victory over Satan. Read about verses that teach on the authority of the Christian over Satan.

​

The following are a number of scriptures that teach Jesus victory over the devil. Please note that every victory Jesus won  was not for Himself but for mankind. Col 2:15, Col 1:12,13, Matt 28:18, Heb 2:14, Luke 10:19 , Eph 1:19,20

​

You may go through each of them meditatively and use them to wage a good warfare. The instruction of the scriptures to drive away devils says submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you, James 4:7

You submit by believing what the scriptures say, and then you speak out the scripture declaring your victory over the enemy. You may say ,’ according to our Lord Jesus, I  have received power to tread on you devils and over all your powers, and nothing shall by any means hurt me, in the name of Jesus, I command every evil attack over my life to stop right now’

​

Keep speaking

to that oppressive spirit that its power is broken, and you are free. You would surely win if you do not give up.

​

THOUGHT: BY FAITH WE STOP EVERY ATTACK OF THE ENEMY AND ALSO CAUSE THEM TO FLEE

​

FURTHER STUDIES

​

Mat 28:18 KJV” And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

​

Luk 10:19 KJV” Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 6:12 KJV “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

​

Our key scripture is a very important instruction for every Christian. The fight of Christians is a fight of faith. We are not called to fight demons, although we wrestle against those who use wiles and deception . What we watch in movies is where demons or agents of the devil throw fire at Christians, who likewise throw a counterfire at the devil. This is not the kind of fight we engage in with the devil and his agents. The enemy’s focus is to overthrow the faith of the Christian. Our victory is to keep our faith intact. This is our victory.1 John 5:4

​

The Christian’s strength is the strength  of our Lord Jesus. This is the reason the scriptures say we must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, Eph 6:10. In this light, Satan’s power is nowhere near the power and might of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the very power and might we have. It is our faith that keeps us functioning in that power. It is also by our faith that we overthrow Satan and his cohorts. Our fighting position is to keep standing, acknowledging that no matter what the enemy does, we are not defeated. This is standing in faith.

​

Our fight is a fight  of faith. We hold on to what God has said and not what the devil is saying or doing. In the fight of faith, we believe in our hearts what Christ or the word of God has said, and then we say just as it is written.

​

The scripture says fight the good fight of faith, laying hold on eternal life. In the context of that verse, the Christians were being persecuted, and so they had to hold on to their belief in eternal life by boldly confessing that Jesus is their Lord. We are to likewise hold on to the various provisions of the scriptures, declaring what it says. It is a good fight because we always win, which brings glory to God. In our subsequent studies, we would take specific situations in life  and learn how to fight the fight of faith in that aspect of life.

​

THOUGHT: OUR FAITH  IN THE LORD JESUS MAKES

US INVINCIBLE AND SUPERIOR TO THE DEVIL AS OUR LORD JESUS.

​

FURTHER STUDIES

​

Heb 10:35 KJV” Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.”

​

Heb 11:2 KJV” For by( faith) it the elders obtained a good report.”