1 Timothy 1:3-7 ESV
Warning Against False Teachers
As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
So what is a false teacher? It might be defined as someone who claims to speak for God, to explain what God is saying without the benefit of speaking to God or hearing Him. Vain imaginings or the will of self desire cannot replace the truth of God. The Holy Spirit speaks to the heart when one is engaged in the word. Feeding on this interaction while seeking and walking with Him will keep us on the narrow path to salvation.
Specific works or actions do not bring us to God, but receiving the grace of God with a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith does. Talking about Scripture is not the same thing as reading it. Reading Scripture is not the same thing as understanding it. Understanding Scripture is not the same thing as living that belief.
It is this word which saves or condemns. It is not about what we are saying, but what He is saying that counts. If we focus on Him we are more likely to to rightly discern His word and it be written on our hearts.
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