Week 39: September 21-27, 2025 -Don’t Depart from God’s Word

This week’s daily readings:

September 21-27, 2025

This week’s devotional:

Don’t Depart from God’s Word

by Kim Loehr

Scripture:

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 

— 1 Timothy 1:3-6 (NIV) 

Reflection:

The Apostle Paul was writing to advise his protégé Timothy (or “son in the faith,” as he referred to him), the pastor of the church at Ephesus. In the King James Version of the Bible, verse 6 of this Scripture reads: “From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling.” Apparently, some individuals in this church had drifted from the true teachings of the faith and were engaged in meaningless conversations and arguments related to legalistic interpretations of the law or speculative theological discussions. They were able to convince others that they were experts in God’s truth, when they actually defiled it. 

Paul suspected these people were teaching false doctrines and introducing fables and myths instead of promoting the character of Jesus. They were creating feuds, contentions, and divisions in the church. Far from having pure hearts, they had become “filthy dreamers and sensual persons and were destitute of the Spirit of God” (suggests one commentary). They may also have been focused on alleged prophecies and visions and strange spiritual experiences, which Paul considered very dangerous, and often heretical. Paul warned that the church must only focus on the words of our Lord Jesus.

This shows that one can be an enemy of God’s word without actively opposing it.  If we fail to give the Bible its rightful place in our life and in our speech, we are opposing God’s word. Also, it is possible not to profess any ungodly or manifest errors and yet to corrupt the doctrine of godliness. “For when there is no progress or edification from any teaching, it has already departed from the institution of Christ.” (Calvin) This may seem like an unnecessary warning against an obvious danger; however, the warning was necessary because those who misuse God’s truth don’t advertise themselves that way—or may not even realize they are guilty of it. They often claim to honor God’s word while, in fact, misusing it. 

It’s possible even to memorize the Bible and yet not have it affect our lives. Being curious or interested in God’s word without submitting to it is a grave danger. We must have the Holy Spirit in us to have our lives transformed by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Humbly submit to and share only God’s truth, allowing God’s word to speak for itself, not adding or detracting from it or putting our own spin on it. Let’s not deny, ignore, explain away, or twist the word of God. As for people who do, Paul advised in 2 Timothy 3:5, “Have nothing to do with such people.” This advice applies to people in the world as well as in the church.

Finally, Revelation 22:18-19 warns that anyone who adds to or takes away from the words of the Bible will face dire consequences. The Book of Revelation is far above my paygrade, so we will have to look to Pastor Brian to learn about the eternal consequences of this Scripture! However, I am reminded that words are not needed to demonstrate the love of Christ to family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers. Letting my ‘actions speak louder than words’ is a big enough assignment for me!

Prayer:

All-knowing God, we ask to learn the true meaning of your word, revealed by your Holy Spirit. We know that only your truth can produce the kind of faith we need or advance your work. Never let your church be guilty of spreading false doctrine, whether knowingly or not. Give us pure hearts, good conscience, and sincere faith so we may shine the love of Christ into the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen