WATCH OUT FOR CONTROL FREAKS!

1 TIMOTHY 4:1-5: “Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good,  and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.” CSB

OBSERVATION: Have you ever met a “Control Freak?” Here is a brief definition of a control freak.

“Control freaks are often insecure and perfectionists. Additionally, they may even manipulate or pressure others to change to avoid having to change themselves. They may have had an overbearing mother or father.” (Wikipedia)

Paul, writing to young Timothy, warns him that the church will be infiltrated by control freaks in the future. Their teaching will be focused on the control of outward behavior and religious observances that can never change the heart of man. This is why Paul calls these the teachings of deceitful spirits and demons!

This false doctrine comes in many different shapes and styles. There is extreme legalism that focuses on rules and regulations that can be monitored and controlled. Dietary rules, clothing standards, specific days of worship, and adherence to a specific translation of the Bible are just a few examples of the legalism that creeps into the church.

The other is extreme liberalism. This is the doctrine of tolerance. It is not enforcing external standards of conduct, but the complete abandonment of any standards at all. Everything is accepted – except for the person who does not agree. Love is love. My truth is the final standard. There are no universal standards except for the ones you create for yourself.

Both of these errors are from the pit of hell. Why are they so dangerous? Why does the enemy try to sow these seeds in the life of the church? Why does he prey on insecure people with the lure of superior spirituality if they adhere to these false doctrines?

The answer is the same for both. If the enemy of our souls can turn our focus away from the inward man to the outward man, he has won! There is nothing that we can do on the outside of our lives that will transform our inward man. Paul writes of this truth in his letters to the Colossians.

Colossians 2:22-23: “All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines. Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.“ CSB

I will never forget a family who visited our church. It was in the beginning days of a new church plant. We were few in number, and any visitor who came on a Sunday morning was an exciting thing! Not only did this family come and visit, but they brought a vanload of children with them. Our church doubled in size that morning! 🙂

They began to attend week after week. The man of the family complimented me on my messages, and I thought everything was going wonderfully. Then I received “The Email.” If you are a Pastor, you know what I mean. It was the email that told me how much they loved the church, how much they loved my teaching, how much they enjoyed each Sunday morning…

EXCEPT FOR ONE THING!

This one thing was their control button. For the sake of respect, I will not share what this was, but it was an external control issue. I then began to notice that the orderliness of the entire family was a manifestation of control issues rather than one of freewill obedience flowing from a growing heart. I was given the ultimatum.

CHANGE THIS ONE THING…OR WE WILL LEAVE!

Well, needless to say, our church was reduced in size by one-half that following Sunday. Control never changes one’s heart. The focus on external things has the appearance of spirituality, but it never produces the spiritual change and growth it boasts of. The person bound in the false doctrine of control continues in their brokenness, blind to their true condition, and goes on finding fault in everyone else except themselves.

So, what is the answer to control?

Paul gave Timothy some wise fatherly advice we all need to take to heart!

1 Timothy 4:7-8: “But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths.  Rather, train yourself in godliness. For the training of the body has limited benefit,  but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” CSB

Train yourself in godliness! In other words, focus on Jesus. Our goal in life is not the external transformation of the flesh but the inner transformation of the heart. It is possible to be a ripped bodybuilder and have a body filled with cancer. Yet, it is far better to have a healthy heart with average abs! Our goal is the high upward calling of God in Christ Jesus. It is godliness, not conformity. True godliness will lead to external change, but it will never begin there.

Lasting change will always begin with the heart!

It is much easier to go to the gym than to go to the Cross. It is at the Cross that I die to myself and the world. It is at the Cross that I am changed by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. It is at the Cross that I am saved, justified, sanctified, and redeemed.

My victory in life is not found in what I control but in what I surrender!

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have succumbed to the false doctrine of control. Grant me the grace to lay all of my control, all of my dependence upon external achievement, at the foot of the Cross. Fill me anew with Your Holy Spirit and help me to become more like Jesus…

From the inside-out!

In Jesus’ Name!