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?