It is always the “whole” person, not just a part.

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 5:7-8 Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Application: So many individuals in our world today try to compartmentalize life,  which if you consider the results you will easily see that is a sure recipe for disaster. We build one private life and one public life. It has led us to actually thinking that spiritual issues, emotional issues and psychological issues are each separate things that can be dealt with individually. A prevalent idea practiced today is to take a “sin” problem to a priest or pastor and if you have a “mental” problem you go to a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Which really is quite ridiculous, because any problem a human being has, sin or not, is a spiritual, mental and emotional issue and even sometimes a physical issue.  The Scripture states:

Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

Your Word, Father, does not compartmentalize man; You, always deal with the whole person. We see this in this text. Paul is writing Timothy to encourage him to shepherd the flock God has placed him over. Paul does spend time dealing with theological doctrines and where Timothy needs to stand firm. However, he does not stop there, because the whole person needs to represent Christ. Not just in what they know, but also in how they live. After given instructions on how the Body of Christ should be charitable to those in need, specifically widows in this section, Paul emphasizes that Timothy teach these truths along with the other truths discussed in his letter, in order that the children of God will be “above reproach”. Let’s consider what this word reproach means:

Reproach - an expression of rebuke or disapproval; a cause or occasion of blame, discredit, or disgrace; to express disappointment in or displeasure with (a person) for conduct that is blameworthy or in need of amendment; to bring into discredit.

Paul wants Timothy to know that the believers there should not live a life that would disgrace, disappoint, discredit the Lord or bring those accusations against His name. Everything about us, what we know, teach and what we do should not leave room for someone to honestly find blame in us. There will always be those that falsely accuse, we must let the Lord deal with them, but we should not live in such a way that honest people would be able to defame the Lord on our account. This requires the whole person to be committed to You Lord with an intimate relationship, not just certain areas of their life or on days they go to church. Teach us Lord how to bring our whole selves before You and use us for Your glory! 

Meditation Questions: Is there a private you and a public you? Do we have a right to certain privacies? What are they? What does it mean to live your life “like an open book”? Do most of your friends; church, work and neighborhood know each other? What does that say? If someone in your family was telling someone you work with about you without revealing your name, would that person be surprised when they found out it was you? What does your answer show? If you have lived a double life, what should you do? Is there someone that you have in your life that can help you live only one life?