Watch closely
1 Timothy 4:16(NKJV) Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
1 Timothy 4:16(NIV) Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:16 (NLT) Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
Very often today, you will find people who will go from church to church, not in search of the truth, but a truth that matches their lifestyle. We have so many denominations to choose from, and when someone does not like what the minister or pastor say, they just look for the next church that does say that.
Paul warned Timothy that there would be a great falling away, people departing from the faith in the last days. With this warning in mind, he told Timothy to take heed (NKJV); watch your life (NIV); keep a close watch (NLT) on how he lived and what teachings he received.
When Paul said take heed, he used the Greek word epecho which means to hold on to something and to pay close attention to it. In 1 Chronicles 28:10 (Septuagint) the word is translated to say, Consider now (NKJV) or So take this seriously. (NLT). Since Jesus told us that the enemy is a thief, and his main purpose is to steal, it stands to reason that the one thing he would want to steal the most is the truth that can set us free.
I am sure we all have lost many things, whether materially or financially, even relationally. If you are like me, we get so angry at the enemy when we identify the loss as something that he had stolen. We go into spiritual warfare mode and rebuke him and claim back what the locust had eaten.
In the context of today’s passage, imagine if we applied that same tenacity for our spiritual losses. Do we really value our spiritual lives as much as we do our physical lives? I suggest we consider this if we really want to become serious about reaching the lost.
Paul urged Timothy to consider his life and his doctrine, which he believes and teaches. He was to continuously remain truthful and persevere in this, not only for his sake but also for those around them. Paul actually said that his consistency would save him and those around him and used the word sozo, which means to save, to deliver, to heal, to preserve, and to make whole. It is the same word used when Jesus healed and restored people in His ministry.
Matthew 18:11(NKJV) For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
Luke 8:48(NKJV) And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
John 10:9(NKJV) I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
The lives we live, and the truth we believe, have a direct influence on those around us, to the point where they can be eternally saved or eternally lost. It is not enough to just know the truth in order to reach the lost. We have to live by that truth, if we are serious about making an impact.
In conclusion, I am challenged to watch more closely how I live, and if it is in accordance with the truth, I have come to believe in the Word. I want to check myself frequently during the day, whether the things I say and do line up with the Word, so that if someone sees and hears me, it will leave a seed God can use to change that person’s life.