Read 1 Timothy 6:1–10

If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing.

1 Timothy 6:3–4

The first mark of a false teacher is that they refused to adhere to “the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching” (1 Tim. 6:3). A second mark is the teacher’s own attitude. Instead of being humble, a false teacher is proud, yet he has nothing to be proud about because he does not know anything (1 Tim. 6:4; see also 1:7).

A believer who understands the Word will have a burning heart, not a big head (Luke 24:32; see also Dan. 9:1–20). This “conceited attitude” causes a teacher to argue about minor matters concerning “words” (1 Tim. 6:4).

The result of such unspiritual teaching is “envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction” (1 Tim. 6:4–5). The tragedy of all this is that the people are “robbed of the truth” (v. 5) while they think they are discovering the truth! They think that the weekly arguments in their meetings, during which they exchange their ignorance, are a means of growing in grace; meanwhile, the result is a loss of character, not an improvement.

Something to Ponder

What are some of the minor matters that tend to become arguments in your church? How can you help eliminate these?