If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing.
Summary: The Bible often provides illustrations for the things that it teaches. In this case, we can turn to King David for a vivid illustration of Paul’s point.
This passage reminds me of a story in the Old Testament about one of King David’s sons, Absalom. The background for the story is David’s own sin when he slept with Bathsheba and had her husband, Uriah the Hittite, killed in battle.
As part of the fallout of that sin, Absalom’s sister, Tamar, is raped by another one of David’s sons, Amnon. (Keep in mind that David had several wives. Tamar and Amnon were half-brother and half-sister.) Absalom’s response to the rape of his sister was not immediate, but eventually he arranged Amnon’s death.
You can imagine the complications that arose for King David.
After killing Amnon, Absalom fled to a country up north called Geshur. This was the country of his mother’s birth. He likely would have been received as royalty there, so he stayed there and might have spent the rest of his life there except for one thing: David missed his son. He loved both of them, Absalom and Amnon, but at some level, he understood the death of Amnon, and in his heart, he had forgiven Absalom (2 Samuel 14:1).
When Absalom eventually returned from his self-imposed exile, he won back the king’s favor (2 Samuel 14:33) and then, “in the course of time,” set about trying to steal the entire kingdom from his father (2 Samuel 15:1-6).
How does all of this relate to our passage from Paul’s letter to Timothy?
If King David had adhered to the law strictly, he would have avoided all of the problems that followed.
If he had kept away from Bathsheba, none of this would have happened.
If he had dealt with Amnon when he first heard about the rape, things would have changed.
If he had refused to be swayed into allowing Absalom to come home, Absalom would never have had the opportunity to steal the kingdom.
Was David conceited?
In a way, yes. It was a vain conceit that led to adultery, and the conceit of putting his feelings before the law that led to the near-loss of the kingdom.
Did David understand what he was doing?
If you read the entire story (2 Samuel 11-19), it is easy to conclude that if David had understood, he would never have allowed things to get that far.
One thing we can learn from David’s example is that godly teaching is not always easy, but it is always right.
Application: Read the Bible … every day.
Food for Thought: The Bible is an old book. Why should we trust God’s Word as a guide in our lives today?
Why should we trust God’s Word as a guide in our lives today?
Even though the physical aspects of life here on Earth changes, the condition of mankind’s heart remains the same as it has been since the fall. After Adam and Eve brought sin into the world through their rebellion, mankind has been separated from God. God continues to offer us grace so that we can be restored to Him. We can trust God’s Word today because it has the ability to pierce our hearts with the truth. Not “make us feel a certain way” but rather it gives us understanding of our spiritual condition and then offers redemption through Christ. If we place our faith in Christ, make Him Lord of our life, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then through God’s Word we learn how to love as He loves. Through His Word we learn to die to self and abide in Christ. The transformation that Christ brings to our lives bolsters our trust in Him and His Word, and it is that same transformation that others see.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
Thank you, Chris!
I like the imagery of God’s Word ‘piercing our hearts with the truth.’ That is very true and very accurate.
Good verses, too!!
It is God’s word and it is timeless in application. It is His truth that we need as a guide for our lives and a light for our path.
Psalm 119:97 – 105: Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.
99I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
103How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
105Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
Psalm 25: 4 – 5: Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Thank you, Rich!
God’s Word is indeed timeless!!
The Bible is an old book. Why should we trust God’s Word as a guide in our lives today?
God is eternal. His word is eternal.
In our natural state, under the influence of this world, we seek joy as we collect “things” made by men. We are like a child putting everything in their mouth as we seek to satisfy our hunger. These may at times provide a temporary joy, which soon wears off, causing us to seek more “things” as people live according to the old saying, “ He who dies with the most toys, wins. “
The Spirit illuminates scripture, enabling believers to grasp, apply and retain its truths to their lives. Opening ourselves to Gods truths, placing our trust in His guidance, living according to His leading takes believers into reality which remains consistent, for all time.
Philippians 4:9, Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you
Romans 15:4, For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.
John 16:13, But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Jesus promised that the Spirit of truth would guide His followers into all truth. The Holy Spirit is teaching believers to trust and understand God’s Word as it is written, His message remains unchanged.
Thanks, Ron!!
Well put: “His message remains unchanged.”
Yes! Amen!