“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” (1 Timothy 4:13)
That word “GIVE ATTENDANCE” in the Greek is the same word used in the previous chapter when instruction was given to Timothy about the deacons. “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not GIVEN TO much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;” (1 Timothy 3:8)
We all know how the drunkard is “given to” much wine. We also know the terrible effects it has on his life….all of his life. Think of the influence it has over him. He is consumed by his addiction. To the drunkard, nothing else matters as much as the bottle! No matter how much he tries to hide it, his life, his walk (staggering), and his talk (slurred speech) all reveal his life style.
Now, take that and go back to the 1 Timothy 4:13. What did Paul mean to give attendance to reading? This was about the Scriptures, and the idea was that the Timothy would be consumed by it, that he would be under the influence of the Scriptures.
Take whatever addictions we may have in this life, it may not be be alcohol, but maybe it is tobacco, or television, or the internet, or Facebook or (fill in the blank) whatever and consider what I am trying to say. Think about how addictions work. Beloved, none of the addictions of the flesh are healthy…often deadly.
But God’s Word is different. It is better, much better! Why will you spend all day being acquainted or consumed with so many things of this world….so many deadly things…and neglect the Word of the living God?
Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)
Have you trusted in Jesus? Then get into His Word, and put aside the worldliness! Being in God’s Word will change your life, your walk, and your talk. There will be growth in the child of God like no other when dedicated to God and His Word.
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:18-21)
The Psalmist said this, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalms 119:103)