The Scriptures in many places warn about false teachers that would come and afflict the church. Knowing this, we want to be diligent in the knowledge and study of God’s Word that we might know the truth.
However, sometimes there are things falsely taught that we would not expect, and this is the subject of Paul’s concern in 1 Timothy 4.
In today’s chapter, Paul warns about “deceitful spirits” and “teachings of demons” that come through those with seared consciences (1 Tim. 4:1-2). This begs the question, what sort of teachings should we be watching for?
Will they deny the preeminence of Christ and the exclusivity of the gospel message? Will they advocate for sinful practices and abuse the grace of God? Will they deny the second coming?
While all these things may come at different times, the apostle’s concern in this passage is those who would come and deny the goodness of the natural creation—specifically by forbidding marriage and requiring abstinence from certain foods (1 Tim. 4:3). Paul seems to be concerned with some form of asceticism that he feared would gain prominence.
To combat this, the apostle concluded:
“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving” (1 Tim. 4:4).
The Bible opens with a clear picture that God, who is Himself good, made things that were good. In fact, as He looked at His handiwork, He concluded that it was very good (see Gen. 1:31).
While the earth has been subjected to the consequences of the fall (Gen. 3:17-19) and even the creation itself longs for the future unveiling of the sons of God (Rom. 8:19) let us not lose sight of the goodness of God’s creation.
God is incredibly kind to us, having given to us the blessings of marital union, and even food in our day-to-day lives.
We are merely supposed to receive from His hand with thanksgiving (1 Tim. 4:3-4), for that which we eat, “is made holy by the word of God and prayer” (1 Tim. 4:5).
I wonder how quick we are to be dismissive of “grace” before meals. Many neglect it altogether, whereas others can quickly resort to merely an outward show with no heart:
“God’s neat, let’s eat.”
Yet, according to Paul, these foods are to be received with thanksgiving, and as such they are made holy. It should not be something we take lightly or treat flippantly.
Truly, God does not want us to live thoughtlessly, but thankfully.
Consider the generosity of our God that He has given us taste buds. He could have made food merely a necessary evil that all tasted like cardboard just so that we might survive. Yet, He has made it so that we can enjoy these things. They not only give us physical strength to serve God but are also a source of enjoyment in life.
Many people have a picture or understanding of God as some cosmic killjoy who desires no good for His people. To follow Jesus is to live a bland life apart from any enjoyment where you are chained to a rulebook called the Bible.
Perhaps, we ought to reflect more often on the little things that God has graced us with such as our food and drink. Maybe, we replace, “God’s neat, let’s eat” with genuine thankfulness to the Creator who gives us many things to enjoy.
Yes, the Christian life has boundaries and things that are off limits but let us not be deceived into thinking that God wants us to have no joy in this life.
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) and is something that when found first and foundationally in God can be found in His gifts towards us too. Truly every good and perfect gift comes from Him (see Jas. 1:17).
This is great!