"BROKEN BREAD"
Daily Devotions from the Daily Light
by Evan Hopkins
May 20
Take heed unto thyself.--I Tim. 4:16
Two things are of the first importance--the doctrine we hold and the life we live. The apostle recognizes the neccessity of taking heed to each, "Take heed unto thyself and onto the doctrine."
It is not enough to make sure that our views are scriptural and our doctrines sound. We must be sound "in charity, in patience" and in practice.
To take heed to oneself does not mean that we should encourage ourselves in the habit of introspection. It means that a spirit of prayer and watchfulness is necessary. It means that health of soul is as essential to the spiritual life as a healthy body is to the natural life. There is such a thing as "getting below par," as to our physical condition. It is when we sink down into a low state of body that we are the most susceptible of disease. We then possess but little power of resistance. How true this is spiritually! Holding a sound doctrine will not compensate for living, active faith on the Lord's word, and prompt obedience to the Lord's will. Where health of soul is wanting, every spiritual faculty is affected.