As we closely read the Letters of 1 & 2 Timothy, we come to understand the Apostle Paul’s vision of the Christian life as a spiritual battle engaged with spiritual powers.
The Christian Life Is A Spiritual Battle
In 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul exhorts his young protege, Timothy, for the second time in the Letter to: “Fight the good fight of faith” (see also 1 Tim. 1:18-19). In 2 Timothy 2:3-4, Paul urges the young Pastor to: “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer”. And as Paul nears the end of his life, he shares these words with his son in the faith: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). The Christian life is not for the couch potato.
The faithful Christian life is ultimately fought with unseen spiritual enemies and by using spiritual weapons. As Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. In 1 & 2 Timothy, Paul mentions 3 or 4 times not to fall into the trap of the devil. The forces of darkness seek to get a foothold in our hearts through sin like unforgiveness and greed.
For example, in 1 Tim. 6:9-10, Paul talks of the danger of giving ourselves to greed and covetousness: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs”. We can’t fight the good fight of faith if we idolize money, and all the things that money can buy, in our hearts.
The devil tries to get human beings to trust in created things, instead of the Creator, for their ultimate security and greatest satisfaction. That’s why the inordinate love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and why it can shipwreck our ultimate trust in the Lord. It prevents us from “taking hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Tim. 6:19). If we are not careful, the devil can set a trap for some of our heart’s desires, and we end up chasing false dreams and illusions that in the end, will lead us to despair and destruction.
Paul repeatedly exhorts Timothy, and all followers of Christ, to reject these schemes of the devil, to flee from evil desires, and instead, to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:11). We are not to give in to false teachers, who are often unwitting puppets of the demonic, because of their envious and greedy hearts (1 Tim. 6:3-5). Paul exhorts Timothy to not give in to a spirit of fear and timidity, but to live in the spirit of power, love and self’discipline (2 Tim. 1:7). This is how Timothy can lead his congregation to advance the kingdom of God in this dark world.
Battling In The Power Of God
Paul exhorts his young Pastor-protege to be willing to suffer for the Gospel in the power of God. Even though God’s servants get bruised in the spiritual battles of proclaiming the Gospel in this rebellious world, the Lord can be trusted to fulfill his good purposes through them (2 Tim. 1:8-14). Even though people will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits (1 Tim. 4:1), and give themselves to selfish and evil desires in the last days (2 Tim. 3:1-5), God’s servants are to continue in the sound teaching of the Apostles (2 Tim. 3:14).
God’s faithful Pastors are to fear God and to proclaim God’s word faithfully, even as many become unwilling to put up with sound doctrine. Paul prophesies a time when people will gather around them many teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn away from the truth of the Gospel and turn aside to myths (2 Tim. 4:1-5).
All of God’s servants are to avoid godless chatter and avoid quarreling about minor issues (2 Tim. 2:14). Instead, we are to obey Paul’s exhortation in 2 Tim. 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”. And the wise servant of the Lord will heed these words of Paul in 2 Tim. 2:24-26:
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
This how believers are to live out their Christian life in this dark world. It applies to Pastors, housewives, auto workers, accountants, professional athletes, politicians and nurses, whoever professes the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. This is how we effectively battle against the unseen spiritual forces of evil, whether in the world or in our churches or in our own hearts.
QOTD: Are you heeding Paul’s exhortations regarding the proper handling of God’s Word and the proper response to those who oppose you?