As I read Paul’s closing words to Timothy, I am humbled and grateful that, like Timothy, the gospel has been entrusted to me. I also feel a little ping of conviction and wonder how well I am guarding it. Paul specifically warns Timothy to guard it against false words that can draw others away from the truth it contains.

You don’t have to know me well to know I talk a lot. It definitely runs in the family, and I often joke that I have all the words. The truth is, more often than I’d like to admit, I babble. I talk to fill empty space, rather than talking with thoughtful and intentional words. As I think about Paul’s words, I ask myself how often my words guard the truth that has been entrusted to me? Or are they more often irreverent or empty?

I have been entrusted with the truth of the gospel, and I have a responsibility to protect it. If you are a follower of Christ, you have also been entrusted with guarding this truth. The most significant way I can do this is to remain rooted in the Word. This ensures that I am clear on what the truth really is.

I believe one of the easiest ways for Satan to use our words to draw people away from God is by confusing us with half-truths. When this happens, our irreverent and empty speech may sound like the truth when it is really false knowledge. Sometimes this happens a little bit at a time until it turns into something other than the gospel truth.

Paul closes his letter to Timothy by saying that by speaking this false knowledge, “Some people have deviated from the faith.” I pray that I am so well rooted in the truth of God’s Word and so careful with my words that my babble does not cause anyone—myself included—to deviate from their faith.

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Are your casual conversations proactively guarding what has been entrusted to you? If not, how can you be more intentional?
2. What can you do this week to guard the truth of the gospel?
3. How can you look to God’s Word this week to ensure you know the truth that has been entrusted to you?

Missions Prayer
Pray for gospel work among refugees from some of the most unreached places in the world, who are now in Nashville. Three of our global worker units are solely focused on reaching these families.