1 Timothy 4:1-16 KJV
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Paul is speaking to Timothy about the responsibility of good leadership. Warning from God's Spirit of later days that people would leave the faith. Paul training comes from the Jewish Priesthood and Christ's Spirit. How can one leave the faith. There people that follow ritualism of faith and never Jesus. Christ obeyed the laws of faith but we see a new faith arise after the crucifixion. This is the covenant but in many ways it same as the old not in ritualism but in spirituality of original faith called righteousness through first belief/faith. Works being the second part of faith but faith with only works is not righteousness When we cast out ritualism in faith out righteousness still exist because of belief. There are people that enter the body of believers with works but no faith and sooner or later they must either deal with unbelief or habits of ritualism will not hold a person to a church when persecution comes and they leave the church. As a leader one must be strong in faith.

How does one become strong in faith become dedicated to prayer and the study of God's word, while walking by the Spirit of God. We must remember scripture as we know it today had not been fully recorded. Yet we know Old Testament can be easily used as well as leader's letters to the church. Paul was an educated man, all the Apostles were educated by Jesus, their temple growing up and whatever apprenticeship or family work trade instill knowledge of the task need doing for living. Religious teaching did not stop from a lack of material, it became sermons of faith, belief and good works, and things maybe not accept by Jews and Gentiles in polite society. Not giving heed to things that will destroy the church and faith of first yourself and others. If it doesnt edify the body of believers cast it out.

To exercise faith we do ritualism by our habits, by our overall performance of life in living unto Christ our Saviour and Lord unto godliness. We put our faith into routine exercise daily, hourly, minute and seconds of each day. There are times one will yield to temptation and maybe other things not profitable for faith, but our decision needs to be to repent and strive toward godliness. Our imperfection are the thing we need God to help us see the sin and error in our life. We want change we must throw the problem out of our life.

You might yield to temptation but you not going to bow your faith to idols or the devil. Good works, labor of love is profitable to others as learning to live by faith and not by works. Let's exercise our faith. Learn to love and forgive and shun what is truly evil and the works of evil. Give no place to evilness.

Dear Heavenly Father reminds us that if we believe and become sound in doctrine when the enemy comes he will fall. Hold us in the palm of your hands to teach us to observe and teach all things Christ did and does in our life. We committed unto you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Jude 1:24 KJV
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

2 Timothy 1:12-14 KJV
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.