Flourish in Giving – Give Attention to Reading, Exhortation, Doctrine

    We are instructed to flourish in our faith, to grow and develop and bear good fruit (2 Peter 3:18, John 15:1-8, Galatians 5:16-26). Faith comes by hearing the word of God (by taking it in and comprehending it, Romans 10:17). We need to know God to appreciate and reverence Him, we need to know His instructions in order to obey them, and we need to know of His proffered help so we can endure temptation and walk properly in His sight. We can know all these things by reading His Word, the Bible. We need to read (listen to) His word and follow it, to benefit both ourselves and those who hear/observe us.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 NKJV)

    Our foundation must be in God’s word in order to properly exhort our brethren. Sometimes it is our enthusiasm about a passage we’ve studied that sparks enthusiasm in our sister, prompting her to dig into that passage and renew her habit of reading and study. Without a doubt, our knowledge must be developed in God’s word and way to enable us to properly warn our sisters and to properly encourage them; we want our words to be true and helpful, not platitudes of hollow comfort.

    We need to know what God says and be sure we are following His doctrine/teaching not man’s. We can know His word by listening carefully, and always following up with study to be sure what we hear is truth (Acts 17:11). We need to hold all thoughts and statements (the preacher’s, the teachers, our friends/family’s, and our own) up to the word of God – Are these things so? Was that taken out of context? Does this align with, or contradict, God’s word?

    I’ve drawn this lesson from 1 Timothy 4:12-16, please take the time to read this passage. In it Paul gives the young preacher, Timothy, instruction to “give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (v13). I think that we, too, can benefit when we give attention to these very things.

Give Attention to Reading

    Reading God’s word helps us to avoid the counsel of the ungodly, keeps us from the standing in the path of sinners, and from sitting amongst the scornful; it will help us flourish and prosper like a green-leafed tree that has been planted by flowing water (Psalm 1). It will give us insight and understanding (Psalm 119:130). Reading God’s word will teach us, comfort us, and give us hope (Romans 15:4); it will make us capable of knowing right from wrong (2 Timothy 2:15, Hebrews 5:12-14). We need to develop a taste for it – which only comes from continued reading – in order to grow (1 Peter 2:1-3), because those who read God’s word – and keep it (remember it, and do it) – will be blessed in this life, and in the one to come (Revelation 1:3, 1 Timothy 4:8).

Give Attention to Exhortation

    How can we help encourage or admonish another person if we ourselves do not know the standard God has given us? We need to be reading and applying His word so that our minds are renewed and our lives are transformed (Romans 12:1-2). We need to know that God wants our words to be encouraging, not harsh and full of hate (Ephesians 4:29-32). We need to read to learn just how much God loves us and how much He has done to help us overcome, so that we in turn can develop our love for others and help them in their walk, by reminding them that they are loved and cared for by a God worthy of our faith and trust (Hebrews 3:12-14). We need to be thinking of others, and ways we can help others, so that we can stir up love and good works amongst the brethren (Hebrews 10:24-25). Think of it as fanning the glowing coals to flame, and getting our brethren excited about doing good and reflecting God’s love to all around.  

Give Attention to Doctrine  

    We need to know God’s word, plain and simple. We need to know His will in order to walk in it (Ephesians 5:15-17). God’s word is profitable for doctrine (teaching), for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; it is the only way for us to be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

“Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your low; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it… Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.” (Psalm 119:33-35, 37 NKJV)

    We must give attention to reading so we can know how to properly exhort our sisters in Christ (consider Titus 2:3-5, encourage them with truth) and so we can know God’s word and will – not guessing or surmising – but truly knowing how to be pleasing and acceptable to Him!

    When we give attention to these three areas we will be better fitted to be an example to all believers…

    …in word (the act of speaking) Ephesian 4:29-32, Colossians 4:5-6

    …in conduct (our behavior) 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2:11-12, Matthew 5:14-16

    …in love (desiring the best for another) 1 John 4:7-11, Romans 15:2

    …in spirit (zeal) Romans 12:10-13

    …in faith (confidence, fully persuaded) Hebrews 11:6, 13-16, 2 Timothy 1:12, Romans 4:19-21; 8:38-39

    …in purity (sinlessness) 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:8, 2 Timothy 2:21-22, James 1:27, 1 Peter 3:1-3, Philippians 2:14-15, Psalm 24:3-4, 51:10

    Determine today that you will give attention to reading – take time to read and meditate on God’s wondrous word (fan the embers of your habit by reading/listening to Psalm 119). From wherever you are right now, give attention to exhortation, so that you can lift up your brethren and encourage them in their walk on the narrow path.  And always give attention to doctrine – be sure and confident that what you are being taught and what you believe is God’s word – His way is the only way! In doing this, you can be assured that your example will be good and your progress will be evident to any who hear or see you! Are you ready to give it your all?

You can do it! So can I!!