“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 NIV
One important thing to do in life, especially as a minister, is to watch your life closely. What do I mean when I say that? You must intentionally analyze and take knowledge of your own life — spirit, soul, and body.
Unfortunately, this is one thing many people don’t like doing. We become so busy facing each day that we hardly evaluate our lives. If unbelievers would analyze and watch their lives closely, I can tell you that preachers won’t suffer much to bring to their consciousness that they (unbelievers) need change, which is available only in Christ.
In the same way, if you, as a believer, would watch your life closely, you’ll experience faster self-development spiritually, educationally, and even socially.
How many times do you analyze your life? It’s not enough to only know your likes and dislikes; much more to build your own life principles. God didn’t create you to live anyhow. The principles of your life must be rooted in the Word of God. Otherwise, it’s unprofitable to you; and can sometimes even limit you from doing something well and faster. That is why for most relationships and marriages to work, compromise isn’t an option. Sometimes our ideologies and upbringing form something wrong in us without our immediate realization.
When Paul was writing the letter to Timothy, he was old. The principles he shared with Timothy weren’t just things in his head. He had lived by it and had seen that it contributed to how far God had brought him. For him to tell Timothy that “watch your life and doctrine closely,” then it means these wisdom nuggets will help Timothy so much in Christ.
There are so many persistent problems in our lives that aren’t caused by any demon or people but simply because of two main reasons.
- Lack of spiritual understanding about how to deal with them.
- Failure to apply what we learn from the Word.
Watch your life closely. Identify the situations that have been there for ages, yet with much prayer and fasting, they still persist. It could be financial lack, bad dreams, addictions, purposeless lives in the family, consistent loss of opportunities, and the likes. It’s not always about God not answering our prayers, but sometimes, our lack of adherence to His principles.
Don’t be deceived to think being a regular churchgoer or even sitting under anointed ministrations will bring drastic change to your life and attitude. Sit down and study your own life. Compare it to the standards of the Word. Then, depend on the grace to work out yourself in applying the Word. It’s only a matter of time before you realize how fast your life will get transformed by God.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I receive grace to take knowledge of my life and notice every area I need to align with your Word. Help me live according to Your Word and not my human failed principles. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 138
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