Lesson 20: Faithful in admonishment
1 Timothy 6:17-21 - www.bible.com/bible/59/1ti.6

17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”
21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.


Sometimes God asks us to warn others around us of the danger they are in. It could be someone who is walking into a situation which will mean great harm to them. It might be a believer or someone who is not yet a believer, and God is asking us to give them warning. Most of us might want to shy away from doing this – but we need to remember: If we saw these same people trying to walk into a building we knew was on fire, we would warn them urgently.

How do we warn them? What do we say? The wonderful thing about having the Holy Spirit living in us is we do not ever have to be concerned about this! God’s promise in Luke 12:11-12 is the Holy Spirit will give us words to say in the situation.

A second great help is when we know as much Scripture by memory as possible. Begin memorizing verses today, because the Holy Spirit will use what you have memorized to talk to others about God.

Our verses today talk about attitudes, about what we treasure in our life. As we begin to work on our own attitude of what is most important to us, we are able to use what God teaches us to also teach others. God says in Matthew 6:21 how the things we value most in our life are also where we will place the highest priority with our life’s efforts. Paul warns Timothy we must actively guard against making something besides God the focus of our life and our heart.
*Did a certain person or situation come to your mind as you read this lesson? Is there someone you need to warn, but you haven’t wanted to confront them – maybe because you didn’t know how? Ask God today to give you His boldness and words to warn this person, thanking Him His Holy Spirit will give you the very best, loving words at the right time, and faithfully work in the person’s heart and mind.