Turn Away From Empty Speeches That Violate What Is Holy ?

[Bible Speaks]

Lesson for today. (Phil 4:8, 9)  Some individuals have become information addicts, always feeding an insatiable desire to be up-to-date while neglecting more important things.

Others acquire partial information about complex fields of knowledge and then view themselves as experts.

Based on only a limited understanding, they may make crucial decisions that can cause harm to themselves or to others. And always present is the danger of exposure to false or inaccurate information.

There is often no reliable way to verify that the flood of information is accurate and balanced. Curiosity has long been a human trait.

The dangers of wasting too much time in the pursuit of useless or even harmful information were recognized back in the days of King Solomon. He said: “Take a warning: To the making of many books there is no end, and much devotion to them is wearisome to the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

Centuries later the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: “Guard what is laid up in trust with you, turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from the contradictions of the falsely called ‘knowledge.’ For making a show of such knowledge some have deviated from the faith.” (1 Timothy 6:20, 21)

Yes, Christians today need to avoid unnecessary exposure to harmful ideas. Jehovah’s people also do well to heed the words of Proverbs 3:5, 6: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight.”

Trusting in Jehovah includes rejecting any idea that conflicts with God’s Word, whether it stems from our own reasoning or from that of our fellowman.

To protect our spirituality, it is vital that we train our perceptive powers so that we can identify harmful information and shun it.

The apostle Paul warns: “The inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1) Yes, harmful ideas pose a real threat.

Understandably, Paul entreated his dear friend Timothy: “O Timothy, guard what is laid up in trust with you, turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from the contradictions of the falsely called ‘knowledge.’ For making a show of such knowledge some have deviated from the faith.”  

May we make wise use of our time by being selective about the information we choose to take in. Then we will not be easily shaken by Satan-inspired propaganda.

Yes, let us keep considering “whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is.”

If we fill our minds and hearts with such things, the God of peace will be with us.

http://m.wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2000322?q=false+knowledge&p=par#h=21