Healthy (ὑγιαίνω)
“Healthy” expresses good physical health and describes the proper use of information that is to be taught, but not put into practice by correctly dividing doctrine and teaching.
In response to the Pharisees and scribes complaining against Christ’s disciples concerning them eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus explains that one who is healthy does not have a need for a physician, for the Messiah has not come for the righteous, but the sinners to change their minds, Luke 5:30-32.
When healthy is used with teaching, it is the type of teaching that is according to the gospel of the proper opinion of the happy God, which was committed to Paul. This teaching has to do with properly handling Old Testament information, which is to be learned but not practiced. The Law is good, but it is for the unrighteous; all those who do things that are contrary to healthy teaching, 1 Timothy 1:8-11. We are righteous in Christ; therefore, we are not under law. Rather, our standard is to live by grace out from faith.
If anyone does not commit himself to the healthy words of our Lord, we are to withdraw ourselves from them, 1 Timothy 6:3. Of these who do not hold to the words of our Lord are those who teach that gain is godliness, where according to healthy words godliness with contentment is great gain. Since we brought nothing into this world, and will take nothing with us, going after money leads to all kinds of temptations and snares, for the fondness of money is a root of all wrong actions, 1 Timothy 6:6-10.
We are in a time where most assemblies claiming to be Christian are not putting up with healthy teaching, but with itching ears seeking after their own desires they heap up teachers for themselves who teach things that ought not to be taught while subverting whole households for dishonest gain, turning their ears from the truth unto fables, 2 Timothy 4:3-5. This is the time of the Laodicean assembly, Revelation 3:14-22. An assembly that is lukewarm to Jesus, putting him on the outside of the Church, Revelation 3:20. A church that is wealthy in worldly goods; however, no healthy words are being taught in it, Revelation 3:17-19. They reject the truth for fables such as following the Sermon on the Mount, living by the Ten Commandments, the purpose driven life, and other teachings of men that seek to deceive the saints. As Christians, we have been warned to stay away from these places, for these assemblies will be spewed out of the mouth of our Lord, for He rejects their unhealthy words. And although He will save his own from these assemblies, being part of them negatively impacts our ability to glorify God by living out the salvation He has provided for us. In contrast to the Laodicean type of assemblies are the churches that are like the one in Philadelphia. These are the assemblies that guard God’s word, yet are seen as not having much strength, for it is an assembly that does not measure success on the number of attendees or how full the offering plate is, but on the spiritual growth and edification of the saints.
Scandalize (σκανδαλίζω)
Scandalize is to shockingly offend a person’s moral sensibility.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of a man scandalizing himself when he looks at a woman for the purpose of desiring her for adultery, for in doing so he has already committed adultery in his heart, Matthew 5:28. The kingdom of the heavens is what Jesus is preaching. After the Messiah comes, is cut off, the Temple is desecrated by Satan, and the Messiah returns in glory, He sets up a Kingdom that will last for 1000 years, Daniel 9:24-27. In setting up this kingdom, God makes a new covenant with Israel in which He writes His law within their heart, Jeremiah 31:33. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is giving instructions concerning the rules of this kingdom, not for today. This man scandalizes himself because he intentionally violated the law of God that is written in his heart by acting upon a thought to desire another woman by glancing at her for this purpose. Unlike under the Mosaic Law where the act of adultery, which is a sin, would be punished, he is held liable for scandalizing himself by using his members in a way that is contrary to what he knows is right even though the physical act of adultery has not been committed, for sin and scandalizing are not the same thing. This is not referring to today, for we are in a period of time in which we must learn the law of God, which for the Church is to live by grace through faith. Therefore, such desires, although we may strongly desire not to have them, do not scandalize us, for we expect to have to deal with them. However, when righteousness rules upon this earth, Satan is bound, and the world system is destroyed, these types of thoughts will not enter a man’s mind unless he deliberately permits them in an act of direct defiance to God. Therefore, Jesus informs the Jew that if a man scandalizes himself, he is to remove the offending body part, for all that scandalize and do lawlessness (sin), will be cast directly into the lake of fire, Matthew 13:41. This means, no Hades or Great White Throne, but immediate and permanent judgment.
When it comes to being scandalized today within the Church, this type of shock typically involves food and drink. Under the Mosaic law, if a Jew ate certain things, they would defile him and therefore he would not be permitted to enter the Temple until he was cleansed. Therefore, being now able to eat anything under the new covenant could cause a conscience issue with a person who came out from under the Law and held to its strict dietary requirements. As the gospel message spread into the Gentile nations, another issue arose relating to their idolatry. For those coming out of idolatry, eating something that has been offered to an idol could scandalize them because they still perceive it as participating in the sacrifice. These types of issues were used by false teachers to gain and manipulate followers through food and drink so that even today there are many Christians who can be scandalized by what a person eats or drinks. Therefore, although today food does not impact our relationship with God, if a fellow Christian is scandalized by food or drink, we are to refrain from that for their sake, Romans 14:21. An example of how a Christian can be scandalized today is seen in the consumption of alcohol. Some believe it is so vile that to even permit it to touch your lips is sinful; where the more mature understand that the use of alcohol is not restricted to anything more than not being drunk, for that is a work of the flesh and does not permit the mind to focus on things related to salvation, Ephesians 5:18. However, the one who is mature, is not to use his freedom in a way that scandalizes one who is weak, just as the weak are not to judge the mature; rather, we are to be settled in our minds concerning what we eat and drink and do it unto the Lord, 1 Corinthians 10:31.
False teachers serve their own belly, causing division and scandal within the local assembly, for they do not abide by the doctrine that we received from our Lord. It is through flattering speech that they deceive the hearts of the innocent, Romans 16:17-20. This is especially true when it comes to the gospel for salvation, for the message of Christ crucified and raised on the third day scandalizes the Jews and is foolishness to the Gentiles, 1 Corinthians 1:23. However, a Christian that is walking in the light, expresses his love for God by loving the brethren and therefore there will be no cause for scandalizing within him, 1 John 2:10.
Scandalizing involves someone doing something that is so shockingly immoral that it highly offends those who see it; however, one who has trained their mind and conscience based upon lies will be scandalized by the truth. When it comes to a fellow believer, those of us who are strong are not to allow our freedom to scandalize the weaker in the faith, for in doing so we will not be expressing love towards them. However, when it comes to speaking the truth concerning the gospel for salvation, those who perish will always be scandalized by the death of Christ for sins, and His resurrection three days later, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Therefore, we are to speak the truth with kindness and grace, even when the truth highly offends those around us, for in learning the way things really are, perhaps they will come to their senses and turn their minds unto the living hope provided to us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Simplicity (ἁπλότης)
Simplicity conveys a singleness of nature or unity. Therefore, its purpose is not dividable; rather, it is immutable while expressing a state of openness, frankness, or directness.
In addressing the saints in Rome, the Apostle Paul encouraged the ones with the Spiritual gift of giving to use this gift with simplicity, Romans 12:8. Whether we have the gift or not, when it comes to giving, we are not to do it under compulsion, or out from necessity, but with a cheerful heart, for the Lord loves a cheerful giver, 2 Corinthians 9:7. Therefore, let each one determine in his heart what he desires to give from his excess and do it so with simplicity, having no other intent.
In contrast to fleshly wisdom, we are to conduct ourselves in this world in simplicity and godly sincerity, 2 Corinthians 1:12. This is especially important when it comes to ones who teach the Word of God. Their purpose should always be to teach others, not to gain anything from them by teaching. An assembly should take care of its Pastor, and for those who serve well, they should provide for him a double portion; however, the intent of the Pastor should be simple, to equip them unto a work of ministry for the edification of the body of the Christ to bring them all to a unity (oneness) of the faith and a full experiential knowledge of the Son of God so that they are no longer tossed around by every wind of teaching by the trickery of men in deceit.
When it comes to someone who presents a different gospel or receives a different spirit, we are not to put up with them, for they seek to corrupt us from the simplicity that is in the Christ, 2 Corinthians 11:3. These are ones who modify the gospel to make it palatable for unbelievers, changing the grace of God into licentiousness. The gospel for salvation is clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and it is the only message that has the ability to save, Romans 1:16. These false teachers among us seek to separate the saints out for themselves, teaching the traditions of men and separating the clergy from the people, which is contrary to the Christ. The Christ is referring to the new creation in which Christ is the head and the Church is the body, having no distinction between the members and the ministers, 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:22-23.
We are not to be those who seek to please others by our actions; rather, with simplicity of heart we are to serve as slaves of Christ, not with eye service, but doing the desirous will of God with a good mind serving the Lord, Ephesians 6:5-7. For our reward for the good we do will come from God, who does not show partiality, Colossians 3:22-25.
Just as God gives us wisdom that is singularly focused and without reproach, James 1:5, we are to use the knowledge we have in Christ to express a proper wisdom in this world while doing things with a single intent, not having a hidden agenda, but sincerity in living out who we are in Christ.
Dealing with Bad Thoughts
A temptation is a solicitation to do wrong. It comes from a desire to perform something that we know is against God’s expectation of us. Understanding how we go from a temptation to sin is important to comprehend in order to stop the process by taking the way of escape before we work out the desire from the temptation. In the book of James, we find the process by which we are solicited and how that temptation works out to sin.
Let no one say when tempted, “I am being tempted from God”. For the God is without temptation of wrong and He tempts no one. But each one is tempted by his own strong desire while being drawn out and baited. Then the strong desire after being conceived, births sin. And the sin, when it is finished, brings forth death – James 1:13-15.
We are first presented with a strong desire to do wrong by one of our three enemies: the sin nature, Satan, or the world system. This temptation has no impact on us until we accept the desire as our own and then choose to perform it. Conception is the combination of a wrong desire and the determination to do it. This is a trespass and always happens within the mind, resulting in a person being in a state of unrighteousness, although sin has not yet happened. Conception does not guarantee birth, but unless it is interrupted it will always result in sin. Once a temptation has become a desire within us that we have determined to fulfill, if we do not apply the truth, the faith, or reject what the world wants, this determination will work out to sin when we perform the desire.
Temptation starts with a solicitation to do wrong. When we are first presented with a desire, we can choose to reject or accept it; therefore, thinking a bad thought is not sin or unrighteousness. However, if we accept the desire as our own and determine to do it, then we have trespassed within our minds which will result in the temptation being worked out, producing sin.
When it comes to dealing with bad desires within our minds, our first step is to identify where the desire is coming from, for each of our enemies works in a different way. The sin nature, that part of us that wants to work out wrong, temps us with specific desires, where Satan has his own methods and has developed the world system to use the desires from the flesh, eyes, and pride of biological life to manipulate us into doing his will. For the sin nature, we need to apply the truth (Romans 6:4-13). For Satan, we must use the faith, which is the armor from God (Ephesians 6:10-18). For the world system, we recognize that in Christ we are dead to it, for although we are in it, we are not part of it, Galatians 6:14; 1 Corinthians 7:31.
Philosophy (φιλοσοφία)
Philosophy is the fondness of wisdom through the rational, methodical, and abstract consideration of reality as a fundamental measurement of human existence. Because philosophy is based upon the traditions of men and the elementary principles of the world system, not according to the Christ, the wisdom it seeks is also that of the world. A wisdom that is by its nature foolishness to God.
As Christians, we are to beware of those who seek to gain control over us through philosophy and vain deceit., Colossians 2:8. Just as the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers of Athens rejected the truth of the resurrected Christ, philosophers continue to do that today because they do not seek the wisdom of God, Acts 17:18-32. Those who profess themselves to be wise while rejecting the clear evidence of the Creator, through their lack of appreciation for what He provides, become foolish in their darkened hearts, changing the incorruptible God to that of corruptible man, birds, four-footed animals, and creeping things, Romans 1:21-24. These are the “so called” wise religious men of this world, who follow after the traditions of men, while ignoring the truth. They are the ones teaching the elementary principles of the world as a means for righteousness and peace: touch not, taste not, handle not. These are practices that have an appearance of wisdom in self-made religions, humility, and neglect of the body that have no value in controlling the indulgences of the flesh, Colossians 2:23. If anyone thinks himself to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God and those who think they are wise in this age are caught in their own craftiness, 1 Corinthians 3:18.
However, there is a true wisdom that comes from God, James 1:5, and we are to walk in this wisdom to those who are outside of the Church, redeeming the time, Colossians 4:5. The wisdom of this world, which is demonic in nature, is earthly and fleshly focused; however, the wisdom from above is unmixed (pure), peaceable, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy, James 3:17-18. As sons of God we are to train our senses to know the difference between what is proper and what lacks in character so that we are wise with the knowledge we have in Christ, Hebrews 5:12. Therefore, let us speak the wisdom from God that has now been revealed to us, not with words from man’s wisdom, but that which is from the Holy Spirit, comparing Spiritual words with Spiritual concepts, 1 Corinthians 2:13. For one who is focused on feelings and philosophy is not able to understand the things of God, for they are spiritually discerned, 1 Corinthians 2:14, and therefore he makes himself a fool.
To be strengthened (ἐνδυναμόω)
To be strengthened (ἐνδυναμόω) is giving a person the ability or function to do something.
Because Christ manifested Himself to Paul and corrected his path, after spending three years in the desert learning, he returns to Damascus and immediately begins preaching the Messiah is the Son of God. The Jews were astonished that Saul was proclaiming Christ because he was known to be the one who had come to Damascus with orders from the Chief Priests so that he could destroy those who called on the name of Christ. However, Paul was strengthened against their astonishment and confounded them, proving that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and therefore God in the flesh, Acts 9:20-22. Paul did this through the evidence provided in the Old Testament.
Abraham was strengthened in his faith concerning God’s promise of a son, not counting the condition of his own body or the deadness of Sarah’s womb but was fully convinced that God would do what He said He would perform, Romans 4:19-21. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. God strengthened his faith when He rejected Ishmael and informed him that the promise of his seed would come through Sarah.
When it comes to defeating an attack from Satan, we are to be strengthened in the Lord. We are not to try and take him on by our own means or through the traditions of men. Rather, our victory over Satan is in Christ and therefore we need to be strengthened in the Lord as we go into battle against him, Ephesians 6:10. This means we are recognizing the fact that our defense against Satan is because God has taken us out of Adam and placed us into the Christ, in Whom we are righteous before Him. Therefore, we are able to walk in newness of life seeking out and doing the desirous will of God, for Satan wants nothing more than to get us to act independently from God and do his will rather than what God desires for us.
We are able to live in any condition with contentment because it is Christ Who strengthens us, Philippians 4:13. Paul faced a lot of difficulties in his life, often due to the saints not doing their part, Philippians 4:15. However, he had learned through these tribulations that it is not about himself and what he has; rather, because of what God has given him in Christ he can be content in any situation, whether rich or poor, Philippians 4:10-13.
While Paul was facing prosecution by the government for speaking the truth, no one stood with him. However, the Lord strengthened him, and he was delivered from the lies of the Jews who sought to have him put to death so that the message of the gospel could be fully preached among the Gentiles through Paul, 2 Timothy 4:17-18.
Although Paul was formally a blasphemer, he gives thanks to God because he recognized that it is Christ who strengthened him and counted him to be faithful, putting him into the ministry. He obtained mercy because of his ignorance in unbelief, coming to realize that Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners, 1 Timothy 1:12-15.
Those in the ministry are to be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Grace is an attitude by which we receive a benefit without consideration of merit. Therefore, having learned the truth through others, they are to commit what they have learned to faithful men who are able to also teach, 2 Timothy 2:1-2.
Our strength in handling situations in our lives so that we live out the righteousness we have in Christ is not through our own power. Therefore, no quality of law has any value to the Christian, for law is not out from faith and is therefore reliant on the person’s own strength; rather, we live by grace through faith so that our lifestyle is not contrary to any law. When facing troubles, our strength is in Christ, Who through the truth of His word gives us a proper way to frame our minds so we see things as they truly are. With this type of mindset, we can then be content in any situation, overcome Satan when he attacks, give a proper and strong defense for the hope that we have, and even stand firm when being prosecuted for doing what is right, knowing that God is with us, and no one will ever take us from Him.