“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and… keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach…
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:3-12,14,17-19
Paul describes what causes pangs of angst and turmoil of soul with clear warning. He understood the urges of flesh and spirit and steered Timothy to align his pangs with godliness. Here should be his focus of passion, hunger, and yearning: to know the Lord and grow increasingly like Him. Misplaced affections and ungodly cravings would lead only to ruin and friction, but wanting godliness and pursuing righteousness would assure the joys of eternal life.
Our world is rife with false doctrine, controversy, and idols. Everywhere we look and listen we are confronted with pomposity, quarreling, ugly residue from depraved minds, and messages emphasizing what we must have. Often these temptations are disguised to intrigue at first, and they awaken hunger that then becomes disordered. The desire for goodness and satisfaction and niceties becomes distorted into a warped reality of how we should spend resources and effort.
In Christ, with the guidance and conviction of His Spirit, we can keep our pangs directed aright. He trains us to recognize where we have skewed what is true and gone after fruitless, even dangerous pursuits. He gives discernment and fortitude to realign our desires with His and set out with holy hunger toward godliness, steadfastness, generosity, and love.
What do we crave that leads us adrift from Jesus? Money or things- more and better and bigger? Attention, applause, to be seen as important or successful? That one elusive item, or dream, or person, that we think will finally bring happiness? How has this disordered love snared and pierced us?
What will we do to develop pangs to know Christ better and be transformed into His likeness? What do we need to flee, and pursue, to set our hope on God alone?
Lord, may I hunger only for You.
As the rain and snow 