There are two passages assigned for today!

SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. [1 Timothy 4:15-16]
Timothy is a young leader, and the challenge in the church is that people will be led astray by worldly and demonic influences.
How do we stand up against such pressure – by being a godly example.
Instead of focusing on the failures or weaknesses of others, focus on our own example and godliness.
Watch your own life and doctrine, not just the life and doctrine of others.
If people look down on you because of your age or sex or economic status, don’t focus on what is wrong with those peoples’ attitudes but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. [1 Timothy 4:12]

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. [Luke 6:41-42]
If we spend all our time focusing on what is wrong in others, we will miss what is wrong in us.
Yes, other people have their issues, and that is between God and them.
It will be enough for us to do our best to address our own issues.
Not only will this keep us from losing our way and going astray, but it will also be an example for others, modelling for them how they ought to be before God.
If you do (guard your own life and doctrine), you will save both yourself and your hearers – you will be able to help them with their specks.

For too long ‘preaching’ and ‘church’ has been about showing other people what is wrong with them.
Think about the harm that is done to the church when church leaders who boldly preach truth and doctrine publicly, and then are exposed in some sinful scandal (I think of Ted Haggard).
I do not judge him for this, but I do need to learn from this!
The best thing we can do for ourselves, our churches and the world, is to focus on the planks in our own eyes – with due diligence and seriousness.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. [1 Timothy 4:15-16]

PRAYER:
Lord, I know where there are planks in my life, I know where worldly and demonic influences are leading me astray. Help me to be diligent in addressing these issues!