1 Timothy 6:3-5

There is always at least one troublemaker. Growing up, that was my job. Fifty years ago, they called it hyperactivity and now there are different names. No matter what the cause, misbehavior is something that good parents help their children out grow. Troublemakers in the church are nothing new, however when we become Christians, God expects us to grow up as well. Paul had to deal with troublemakers from the very beginning, and he knew that Timothy would have to deal with them as well.

Paul described some of the characteristics of troublemakers. Not every person who caused trouble had every characteristic, but all had some. Paul told Timothy that often such people were full of conceit and did not recognize their lack of understanding.

In today’s language, Paul described some as being drama queens. They were interested in creating emotional controversies. They stirred up arguments about issues that had nothing to do with being a Christian and living a holy life style. They stirred up envy and strife by attempting to turn their fellow Christians against each other. Some behaved this way because according to Paul they had an unhealthy interest in controversies and arguments. Today we know that too often children growing up in unrighteous homes only get attention when their misbehaving. Often they carry what that has taught them into their new life with Christ. Unsatisfied with their own emotional condition, they feed vicariously off the angry and hurt emotions of others. As the Holy Spirit works in their lives, healing is possible, but they have to choose to let go of their fascination with conflict. People such as these have wounds in need of healing. Paul knew Christ as the Great Physician. Paul told Timothy to continue teaching the sound instructions of Jesus and to insist that Christians put what they heard into action. When faithfully proclaimed, God’s Word is powerful and it makes a difference. Our response to godly teaching will heal our hearts, or it will reveal the unrighteousness within them.