Listen to last week’s sermon entitled: Train Yourself To Be Godly found in 1 Timothy 4:1-8.

In his sermon delivered on February 6, 2022, Pastor Eric summarized the first three chapters of First Timothy. In these chapters, the apostle Paul writes to his spiritual son, a young pastor by the name of Timothy. Paul informs him about how to deal with the Ephesian church and expresses some personal concerns relating to the church worship at Ephesus. Timothy is therefore urged to instruct the leaders to cease teaching false doctrines.

Read 1 Timothy 1:3-4

Many believers in the world today are wondering why they are not experiencing the presence of God in their lives. Perhaps, they are devoted to myths that stimulate speculations based upon controversial assumptions. It is imperative that we, as Christians, adhere to sound doctrine. We should focus on attaining genuine truth. Paul begins his letter to Timothy in this manner, in light of the numerous problems at Ephesus.

Moreover, Paul instructs Timothy, by way of his letter, how one ought to behave in the household of God. He is also warned of the dangers posed by false teachers. In addition, Paul addresses the specific responsibilities of church leaders in order to protect the people from negative influences.

Read 1 Timothy 4:1-8

In some cases, believers will abandon their faith after succumbing to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. In other words, they will be led astray by false teachers whose doctrines and beliefs stem from Satan’s influence. These people promote self-righteousness, division, discord, hatred, and revenge. Their false teachings lead to disobedience, disrespect, and disdain for authority. That is to say, they promote hate in the name of truth, rather than truth in the name of love.

Read John 13:35

Jesus was quoted as saying that the world will know we are His disciples by the love we have for one another. Christianity is founded on Christ (God) and God is love.

Read Galatians 5:19-21

In these latter days, it is essential for Christians to distinguish between doctrines that are inspired by the Holy Spirit and those that are of the devil. Do the doctrines promote what is stated in Galatians 5:19-21? Jesus says we will recognize them by their fruits. The importance of learning to discern what we watch, read, and listen to cannot be overstated. Without a thorough understanding of God’s Word, it will be impossible to determine whether or not they are promoting the works of the flesh. In view of the fact that Satan is also capable of using Scripture verses to deceive us, we must be guided by the Holy Spirit.

Read 1 Timothy 4:2-8

The apostle Paul says that physical exercise benefits us in certain ways, but serving God benefits us in every way, for it will lead to blessings both in this life and the next. How many people expressed an interest in taking care of their physical health this year, compared with those who expressed an interest in becoming a better person? According to Paul, godliness is beneficial in every aspect of our lives. Godliness training should be a priority. Physical exercise may increase our fitness level, but it will not alter our hearts. Running a marathon will not make us more compassionate individuals. Lifting weights at the gym will not make us more generous. It is important to understand that engaging in these activities will not transform our character; however, the development of our godly character will have a positive impact on all areas of our lives. How do we act when things go awry around us? Do we display kindness and generosity, or are we aggressive and irritable? In such situations, our true character is revealed.

Jerry Bridges stated in his book, The Pursuit of Holiness,

No higher compliment can be paid to a Christian than to call him a godly person. He might be a conscientious parent, a zealous church worker, a dynamic spokesman for Christ, or a talented Christian leader; but none of these things matter if, at the same time, he is not a godly person.

Someone else said,

To be godly is to be fully devoted to God. It’s a personal attitude toward God that results in actions that are pleasing to Him.

We must possess Christ-like qualities in order to be godly. As Christians, our character is inextricably linked to godliness because we walk according to the Spirit. The concept of godliness goes beyond simply quoting Christ’s words. It involves placing Jesus at the centre of our thoughts, actions, and words.

How do we attain a godly character?

1 – By surrendering to the Holy Spirit.

We become godly by forfeiting control to the Holy Spirit. To be godly is to desire more of God’s power, more of His will, more of His anointing, and more of His grace. Do we trust the Lord to lead us? Are we committed to His will, His Word, and His plan for our lives? We are true Christians if we can answer yes to these questions.

Submission to the Holy Spirit is fundamental to Christian living. While we may be tempted to leap ahead of God when the Holy Spirit stirs something in our hearts, we should refrain from doing so. Simply stated, we should not hang on to our problems. Regardless of the pain we are experiencing, we are to surrender it to God. His power and grace will enable us to do so.

Pastor Eric cited the example of his youngest son who planted a sunflower seed as part of an activity with the children’s group. He checked on the seed every day to see if it was growing. The boy attempted to dig into the soil with his finger, but Pastor Eric cautioned him against it since he might kill it. The same is true when we sow spiritual seeds. This refers to actions we take that may result in someone’s spiritual growth. Our desire is sometimes to push and question the individual in order to determine whether he is making spiritual progress. The person must be given the opportunity to grow. One way we do this is by praying for them. The Holy Spirit will nurture the seed we plant. There may be times when He sends another to water, to encourage, and to reaffirm what has been sown. It would be unwise for us to act as the Holy Spirit in someone’s life, as this could backfire and cause more harm than good. The Lord must be given full authority over our lives.

2 – By welcoming the work and power of the Holy Spirit.

Godliness cannot be attained by any specific person or through an individual’s own efforts. It is the fruit of the Spirit. A certain amount of training and perseverance is required. The purpose of this effort is to welcome the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit in our lives and to enable us to live in accordance with His will.

Read 2 Peter 1:3

We have everything we need to live and serve God through Christ’s supernatural power (dunamis in Greek). In the Bible, dunamis refers to “miracle-working power”. With the divine miraculous power of Christ, we have access to all that pertains to life and godliness. Thus, true godliness can only be achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Read 2 Timothy 3:5

Many forms of Christianity have the appearance of godliness but deny its power. What did Jesus say about this?

Read Acts 1:8

Jesus stated that “…when the Holy Spirit comes to you (meaning every believer), you will receive power”. People who deny the power of the Holy Spirit place their trust in their own abilities. However, God did not leave us to our own devices. In order to flourish in godliness, we must welcome the influence and power of the Holy Spirit.

Read 2 Peter 1:1-5

Although godliness requires effort, it cannot be achieved by relying solely on one’s own strength. Our godliness is cultivated by God’s Spirit within us. The Lord desires to participate in the development of our character, in order to make us more like Him.

Read Philippians 2:13 

The above verse contains two important points:

1. God works in us to will…
2. … to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.

God grants us both the ability and the desire to act. In addition to providing us with ideas, dreams, visions, and desires, God also equips us with the ability to carry them out.

Read 1 Corinthians 10:13

As stated in the passage above, the only temptation that we will encounter is one that is common to all people. This implies that if we are tempted, someone else has also encountered the same temptation. It also states that the Lord provides a way out. Let us welcome the work and power of the Holy Spirit within us. Only then can we be successful. Only He is able to win our battles.

Watch sermon here: