Set An Example – 1 Timothy 4:12

Have you realized that there are people who are going to find fault in everything that you do? 

The older you are the more you begin to realize that you are unable to please everyone. There are some people who are bitter with life and have taken it upon their shoulders to make life bitter for everyone around there. 

Timothy was a young pastor, probably in his thirties, leading a large group of young Chrisitans in Ephesus. First century churches were full of new converts to Christianity and old traditions of previous religions. Without a Bible to preach from and explain the core doctrines of the Christian faith (remember, they were living at the time that the New Testament was being written) groups and individuals were giving their personal thoughts and opinions on what it meant to follow Jesus. Paul wrote letters to churches and leaders to encourage their faith and to correct false teachings of Jesus. These groups and individuals would look for any reason to invalidate a spiritual leader’s authority. If a leader fell then these false teachers would step up to lead with their own hopes and opinions.

Paul told Timothy to “Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Timothy lived as a spiritual example of what a believer truly can be. His practice of godliness and the demonstration of Christian character could compensate for the lack of calendar years. The term “example” signifies a pattern or a model. Paul desired that people in Ephesus develop godliness by modeling Timothy. 

People will try to despise you because of your faith. “To despise” means to discard someone as one who is unworthy. People will may you feel like you are beneath them – because of your age, skills, personality, past. 

How would people in your workplace act if they were modeling your spiritual life? 

Set an example with your outer and inner life. 

Speech and Conduct point to the outward traits that others observe. 

Love, faith, and purity are inward traits of spiritual growth and integrity. 

Live It: 

• Would your co-workers, friends, or family develop godliness if they modeled your life? 
• How can you strengthen your outer or inner life to walk with Jesus and live as an example of faith to others? 

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