False narratives vs solid teaching
Have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. Instead, train yourself for godliness. 1 Timothy 4:7
1 Timothy 4:6-8
6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.
7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.
8 Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.
We live in an age dominated by social media and a relentless flow of content that bombards us with a mix of half-truths, conflicting opinions, and outright falsehoods. This makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish what is authentic, meaningful, accurate, and deserving of our interest, time, effort, and attention. How can we avoid getting caught up in appealing but ultimately meaningless pursuits that waste our time?
Paul, advising his young protégé Timothy, offers timeless instruction regarding steering clear of distractions and pursuing a life of faith shaped by sound doctrine. Paul warns Timothy, 1 Timothy 4:7: “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”
Think of “godless myths and old wives’ tales” as the ancient version of clickbait, urban legends, or viral conspiracy theories. During the first century A.D., the early church was flooded with superstitions, sensational stories, and speculative religious ideas that captivated people’s attention but offered nothing of real substance or truth. These deceptive distractions steered people away from what truly mattered. The abundance of interpretations often left believers confused, questioning whether truth could be found at all. How heartbreaking!
A Brief Word about Ancient Mythology
Mythology comprises stories, legends, and myths that reflect a culture’s values, beliefs, and worldview. These narratives often involve gods, supernatural beings, and cosmic events, offering insights into natural phenomena, human behavior, or the origins of life itself. One well-known tale from Greek mythology is the story of Pandora’s box. Although Pandora was warned not to open it, her curiosity got the better of her. The moment she lifted the lid, countless evils and sorrows were unleashed upon the world.
A Brief Word About Old Wives Tales
Old wives’ tales are traditional beliefs, superstitions, or myths that have been passed down from one generation to the next, often through word of mouth. These tales are rooted in cultural traditions or personal experiences and can sometimes contain elements of truth. They typically relate to health, pregnancy, child-rearing, or general life advice.
A benign example is the saying, “Feed a cold, starve a fever.” More menacing anecdotes include claims like, “Hanging garlic wards off demons and vampires” or “Black cats are the familiars of witches.”
Myths and old wives’ tales often serve as cautionary warnings intended to help people avoid risky behaviors or situations. Unfortunately, many of these tales can be enticing, leading listeners away from the truth. They foster speculation and often have nothing to do with genuine wisdom or goodness. At best, they are unproductive and useless; at worst, they cleverly devised demonic deceptions (1 Timothy 4:1).
REFLECT & PRAY
Bodily discipline has its benefits, but godliness is more profitable. Paul does not ask us to choose between the two but rather to do both. This raises the question: Should children of the King be physically fit? How is that working out?
Father, help me to focus on what is essential and life-changing and avoid what is tangential or even irrelevant. Encourage me to train my soul for godliness.
INSIGHT
Paul’s Advice on Avoiding Useless Discussions
What is Paul’s advice? We should avoid wasting time discussing or arguing over myths and anecdotal experiences that the gullible or unlearned often fall prey. Instead, we are to train ourselves to be godly.
The Greek word translated as “have nothing to do with” or “Do not waste time arguing” (NLT) is paraiteomai. Paraiteomai means to “refuse,” “reject,” “avoid,” “stay clear of,” “keep away from,” “keep out of the way of.” We should maintain a healthy distance from such enticing yet useless distractions.
The Greek term translated as worldly fables, irreverent, godless, or profane is bebelos. Bebelos suggests something that is “earthbound,” “easily understood,” and “accessible to everyone.” Therefore, it is “devoid of real significance,” “pointless,” “worthless,” “frivolous,” “unoriginal,” or “dull.”
When encountering tales, experiences, or anecdotes, a good question to ask is, “Where does it say that in the Bible?” The inspired Word of God serves as the foundation for sound doctrine and the measure for identifying false or unsound teachings.
The word translated as “silly,” “old wives tales” or “fit only for old women” is graodes. Graodes conveys a sense of being “faltering,” “decrepit,” or “debilitated,” implying conditions that we call enfeebled or senile today. The expression likely originates from the idea that older women (especially those with dementia) tend to share nonsensical stories. Over time, it became an idiom for any meaningless or endless chatter (UBS).
Paul has issued a stern warning regarding the last days; consequently, we should be vigilant in recognizing deceptive spirits and teachings inspired by demons. In 1 Timothy 4:1, it says, “The Holy Spirit clearly tells us that in the last days, some will turn away from the true faith, following deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.”
Timothy serves as a model for us. He has nourished himself with the words of the faith and sound doctrine (1 Timothy 4:6). By meditating on and internalizing the Scriptures, he has developed the discernment to distinguish between good and evil, right and wrong, and true and false doctrine.
Hebrews 5:14 states, “Solid food is for those who are mature, who, through training, have developed the skill to distinguish right from wrong.”
How do we become trained?
1 Timothy 4:8 reminds us, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
Timothy is advised that just as athletes train their bodies, children of the King must train their souls. While physical fitness is beneficial, Paul emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of balance. Physical training is advantageous but produces only temporary results as the body eventually fades.
In contrast, training in godliness develops the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—and its effects extend beyond this life into eternity. Liftin observes, “Godliness colors all aspects of temporal and eternal life, bestowing its blessing on all it touches.”
Children of the King are not merely participants in a physical competition; they are athletes of God. Their focus is not simply on outward strength but on the enduring discipline of inner holiness.
Unlike physical accomplishments, which diminish as the body weakens, spiritual growth yields lasting results. Discipline in godliness prepares children of the King to overcome life’s challenges and ultimately triumph in God’s kingdom. By encouraging Timothy to prioritize spiritual training, Paul invites all believers to commit to a life of purpose, discipline, and unwavering devotion. Just as great athletes dedicate themselves to winning temporary victories, the athletes of God focus on the eternal prize that never fades (Barclay).
What is godliness?
The Greek word for godliness is eusébeia. Eusébeia has the sense of being “devout,” “godly,” or “having piety toward God.” The word eusébeia literally means “well–directed reverence.” It is derived from “eu – good” + “sebomai – to reverence, worship.” Thus, good worship = reverence, devoutness, piety, and fear of God. Although eusébeia is translated in the New Testament as “godliness,” the word “God” is not in it.
¯_(ツ)_/¯
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 