Study, practice, and then teach
God promised to give His people shepherds after His own heart.
You and I can be one of them.
Jer 3:15 "Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding."
But before we can get there we must learn to accurately handle God’s truth.
Paul had a great desire to ensure that he himself accurately handled the word of truth. He took pains to ensure that what he taught others was not his own stuff but the truth of God. He exhorted Timothy to do the same.
2 Tm 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
In order to accurately handle the word of truth we must take the time to study God’s word. Then we must practice it. And only then can we teach it.
Ezr 7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel.
When we study God’s word we must quickly get the point and then begin practicing it. Otherwise, we can become people who are always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Paul refers to such people in 2 Tm 3:7.
2 Tm 3:7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Such people get stuck at a certain point, refusing to believe what Scripture plainly says simply because they don’t want to be proved wrong or because they don’t want to give up certain things. Do not be like such people.
If we teach what we are not practicing ourselves then we are hypocrites and will come under judgment.
Jas 3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
That is why it is important to not be too hasty to be a teacher of God’s word when it concerns things you’ve not practiced.
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