EXERCISE THYSELF. 1st Timothy 4:7. It is not an automatic response to ignore a myth and walk away without comment. The best reaction is to end the discussion before subtle words persuade me to listen, which means excusing myself and showing disapproval through actions rather than words. Myths may seem harmless and old stories cute, but they hide the power of suggestion. If I pay attention to them, they can take root in my mind and leave a silent influence on others wondering what I will say or do. From such clever sayings, dark deception can arise.
Being godly doesn’t just happen; it requires a deliberate decision to follow God regardless of the cost. It involves my will to act and avoid the sinful delusion that aims to cause my testimony to be lost. Work must be done to be godly; it’s an exercise of faith when human nature is inclined to live by sight rather than quiet assurance in God, whom we do not see with our natural eyes but through spiritual eyesight. Humility is necessary so God can provide the needed grace and so the godly saints can shed some holy light in the darkness that surrounds us.
A disciple of the Lord needs to read God’s Word daily and learn from it how to live like Christ. Studying and applying it to our thoughts, actions, and testimony shows us that we should be willing, for the sake of godliness, to pay the price of separating ourselves from unequal yokes and the bondage that can trap us. Then, when foolish talk, myths, and old wives’ tales come along to demand our attention, we will be ready, knowing all those things will fail. The practice of godliness gives weight to what we speak and do.
Profane things are without God. Old wives' tales are superstitious, thoughtless, ignorant, and unprofitable gossip that lead people away from sound doctrine. Training ourselves to be godly requires living diligently according to the truths of the Gospel that brought us into God's family. When God’s truth is taught and practiced correctly, it produces a godly life.