Alright, let's delve into 1 Timothy, Chapter 5. I've observed a certain deficiency in Timothy. Why do I say this? Because Paul's instructions suggest Timothy wasn't handling matters as well as he should have. If Timothy had been managing things effectively, would Paul need to spell it out? Think about it. If we're doing a good job, would our superiors be pointing out every little thing, cautioning us at every turn? Surely not. When you're performing well, there's no need for such reminders.

Take my colleagues, for instance. Their shortcomings are addressed constantly – daily, monthly, yearly – until they improve. So, when I meet Timothy in Heaven, it might be awkward. He might say, "Why were you always criticising me during your sermons on 1 Timothy?" Do you understand what I mean by "criticising"? It's pointing out flaws. But I'm not fabricating anything; I'm simply addressing what's in 1 Timothy, sticking to the facts. Otherwise, why would Paul have written these things?

I get the sense that Timothy had issues. What were they? He was raised in a Christian home, with little to no experience in the workforce before entering ministry. And I've noticed that he complicated matters that were quite straightforward.

Why did he suffer from stomach ailments? Because he was prone to excessive worry. Remember, those who worry excessively often have stomach problems, and vice versa. It's due to immense pressure. For example, 1 and 2 Corinthians were written years before 1 Timothy. By the time 1 Timothy was penned, Paul had been released from prison. Some years had passed since the Corinthian letters. Paul had sent Timothy to Corinth to resolve issues, but he bungled it.

Now, Timothy is in Ephesus, and how's it going? Not well. That's why, in 1 Timothy Chapter 5, Paul is telling Timothy to exercise wisdom in church governance. It suggests a lack of wisdom.

And what's the root of this lack of wisdom? Timothy's lack of experience in the working world. Ponder this. So Paul tells him: you must have wisdom in handling church governance. In earlier chapters, Paul said, "If you can't handle it, don't meddle. Wait for me to come and help you. Watch how I do it." I must say, I believe I'm getting a real feel for 1 Timothy as I read it this way.

Maintaining Pure Pastoral Relationships

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity (1 Timothy 5:1-2).

Why do you think Paul is instructing Timothy in this way? I'll tell you, it's because the relationships have become somewhat tainted, impure. It's not necessarily about outright impropriety or chaos, but the relationships are not being handled properly. Why? Because when you exhort older men as if they were your father, it means you are a junior, a younger man. Why is this important? Because if you don't, it won't be effective. Pastoral relationships must be pure; they shouldn't become distorted from the outset.

Paul says, "I'm telling you, treat younger men as brothers." The relationship must be properly calibrated. Why wasn't it? Because Timothy was inexperienced, like some of our younger pastors who adopt an air of superiority. You're exhorting an older man, so what? "I am Timothy!" That's the wrong approach. Why adopt such an attitude? Immaturity, inexperience. If you mishandle the relationship, the older man won't be edified; he'll resent you. Do you understand? Exhort older men as fathers, younger men as brothers. Do you grasp the nuance? Then, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters.

I believe there's a subtle issue being raised here: Timothy is not handling these relationships properly. Why? Because he lacks experience. I must tell you, I need to be very experienced in handling these relationships. If you don't handle them properly, it can be problematic.

For example, with my mother, I can't force her to discern good and evil. I anticipate that the devil might release such lies upon my mother. I must first expose those lies. I can't adopt a superior attitude with my mother. If it's an elderly person, I cultivate a good relationship with them. If it's a middle-aged person, I do the same. Why? Because I don't adopt a superior attitude. And with a young child, I have a good relationship with them. I speak to them appropriately.

So, in our training for younger pastors, which some of you may not have the opportunity to attend, I teach them how to pastor, including how to establish pastoral relationships – speaking appropriately to each person, being personable. Exhort older men as fathers. Treat them as you would your own father. What style of language would you use? Respectful, pure, effective. Exhort younger men as brothers.

You must understand that, although I am highly educated, I have a certain "street smarts." What does that mean? It means treating people as equals, standing by friends, being willing to go the extra mile. Will that lead to good relationships? Of course. Will it require sacrifice? Yes! How could it not?

In building a church, if you don't have that mindset, that sense of camaraderie, you won't succeed. You can't adopt a superior attitude. If you think I'm doing that, you're mistaken. If we were to meet, you might even look down on me and leave the church. That's fine! Because I have a strong sense of loyalty and camaraderie.

Why? Because I don't like to establish rigid relationships. I must tell you, over the years, I've seen many pastors who adopt a superior attitude. I find it regrettable. But I think to myself, "That's just how they do things." When I write to the younger pastors I mentor, or to the pastors among us, I say the same thing: establish good relationships. What can you discuss if you don't have a relationship? If you can't build relationships, what kind of pastoral care can you provide?

I have a knack for adjusting the relationship appropriately within five minutes of meeting someone new, and then using that relationship to minister to them. So, what does it mean to be pure? What does it mean to be clean? In Paul's other letters, it means not seeking your own advantage. If you're only thinking about what you can gain, it will become tainted, a transaction. My relationship with my father can't be a sordid one; my relationship with my brother can't be a sordid one.

But there's one area that's particularly challenging: exhorting younger women as sisters. Is it difficult? Yes! Timothy was handsome, refined, a "pretty boy." So, what happens when he has to minister to a young woman? Oh dear, what if she tries to seduce him? I don't think Timothy could handle that. She bats her eyelashes, and he's supposed to treat her as a sister. Ah! The meaning of this is profound: with absolute purity.

I suspect Timothy wrote to Paul, saying, "Teacher, she said this to me. Oh dear, she's trying to seduce me." And Paul said, "With absolute purity, as sisters." What does "as sisters" mean? Not that kind of "sister," as in, "This is my sister," when introducing your wife. If it's that kind of "sister," it's a disaster. It means a brother or sister in Christ. Do you understand? It's a pastoral relationship. We're not discussing pastoral care today, but 1 Timothy is essentially Paul teaching Timothy how to provide pastoral care. And establishing relationships means establishing pure relationships. This is crucial.

Handling the Issue of Widows with Flexibility and Wisdom

Of course, in this day and age, it's hard to distinguish between widows and non-widows. In the past, in my childhood, there was a saying: "A widow's door is often the site of trouble." Why? The saying wasn't without merit. Widows often faced many problems. And what is the root of those problems? Lust.

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need (1 Timothy 5:3).

What does it mean to be "really in need"? A widow who maintains her chastity is a true widow. Not a false widow, who appears to be a widow but engages in all sorts of sordid activities behind the scenes.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives (1 Timothy 5:4-6).

What happened? Many widows flooded into Timothy's church. Why? Because the church was providing financial assistance. Why do you think Paul raised the issue of how to handle widows when Timothy was there? Because Timothy wasn't handling the situation with wisdom; he was being loving, but without wisdom. People were saying, "This church gives money to widows! Widows can get money there!" So widows who lived for pleasure flocked to the church, eating, drinking, and making merry. And Paul said, "But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives."

Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them, and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need (1 Timothy 5:7-16).

I've read a long passage. Would you like to hear a "Timothy spin-off"? Good. When a young widow comes to the church and professes faith, what do you think will happen? Does the widow truly believe? Not necessarily. If she truly believed, it would be easier to handle. Why did she come to the church? Paul didn't write it, but Timothy certainly opened the doors to these widows. Why did he open the doors? Think about it. It's like churches today that want to fill their pews. They think, "Come to church, there's food! Come to church, there's someone to talk to, a way to pass the time."

In those days, widows had no place to work. It's different now. There's no concept of "widow" anymore. The divorce rate is 60%. Not to mention those whose husbands have died. But divorce is commonplace now. When I was a child, the term "widow" was still used. Now, it's gone. But in those days, widows had no work. Their husbands had passed away. They had some money. They went from house to house, passing the time. "Oh, the church is nice. There's someone to talk to, a way to relax."

Timothy lacked wisdom. He thought, "Come, all of you, may you be saved! God wants all people to be saved, including you idle, gossiping widows." As a result, the church was filled with widows. These widows weren't just causing trouble in Ephesus; they were causing trouble in the Jerusalem church from its very beginning. I once met a sister from Taiwan who said, "No one's laying eggs, but there's a pile of excrement."

This Timothy lacked wisdom. If you ponder it, what kind of people are churches attracting these days? They are attracting many who come to church for amusement. Take that widow, for instance. She used to be in our church, from a young age, in her teens, not yet twenty. She came and then left. After leaving, she got involved in homosexuality, and then she was dumped by that person, becoming a widow, a real widow. Alas, a widow, she was in distress. Oh, she was distressed today, distressed tomorrow.

I was the one who received her. After receiving her, I arranged for a pastor to minister to her. But in my mind, I thought of something: don't come here to play around, to talk nonsense. If you talk nonsense, I will make you "become an egg" (成蛋, a pun meaning to be in trouble), I am the one who will "扯" (deal with) you. Oh my, our pastor, receiving her call at twelve o'clock at night, just kept chatting and chatting. Oh my goodness, I guessed it right, I predicted it. I then told our pastor, I said: don't be amused by her, she can't sleep at night and is chatting with you for free. Is she coming to believe in the Lord, or to amuse herself with you? Once I saw through it, the demon behind her saw it and thought, "Oh my, this guy is too powerful."

Do you know how I dealt with it? I gave her this assignment to read, and after reading, to write notes and send them over. Hmph, you want to play around with me? Once I asked her to send notes, she disappeared. Now you all know why our church has been accumulating content from day one. I tell you all, I am fortunate to have written this 101 course. The 101 course is a sieve. Why did she disappear? Sifted out. Am I free, wasting time chatting with you? Go chat with a computer! You don't even need to dial 10866 or 10080, you dial my 101. You are playing it fake, you can't handle it. Powerful, right? I tell you all, in our church, besides the 101 course being a sieve, the 102 course, and the 004 course are also sieves, the 003 course is also a sieve, all are sieves, sifting finer and finer. Don't come here to talk nonsense.

Don't be like Timothy, Timothy got stomach problems after being amused by these widows. Then I ask you all, isn't that a lack of wisdom? A person without wisdom has heavy thoughts, thinking and thinking, a dead loop, unable to figure it out. So Paul saw that Timothy was being amused by these widows, some 60 years old, some 70 years old, some 20 years old, some 30 years old. Whether there were homosexual widows, we don't know.

Timothy was being amused all day and had no time. Oh, immense pressure. This side was waiting to be dealt with, that side was waiting to be dealt with, and then quickly, oh, one person was missing, had to quickly lay hands, quickly get it done, causing chaos, and then quickly making time to chat with these widows. If Timothy were mixing around here with me, I would have to fix him. So Paul said these words, whether to our small pastors or pastors, it's the same. Is that what you call pastoring? Can that relationship be called pure?

If the widow can talk, can make a fuss, can flirt, can scold, and speaks like a crosstalk comedian, she is formidable, I tell you all, they are professionals. Timothy became the audience: "Ah, you speak very well." As a result, after chatting, it's over, he can't resist at all, behind her is an evil spirit.

So what did Paul say? Those who are lazy, gossiping, meddling in other people's business, that is their profession. Our pastors who are pastoring the church can't gossip as well as they can. For example, a widow, back then there was no WeChat, no phone, rushed to Timothy's house. Ah, sat on the kang (a brick bed), Timothy sat at the end of the kang, she sat at the head of the kang, and then two meters apart, talking and talking without boundaries. Later, she sat in the middle of the kang. Later, she said it was about right, face to face, isn't that annoying? Nothing to do!

As a result, Timothy, oh my goodness, was being amused not just by one or two things, and she spoke quite well, and then took money from the church. Oh, I tell you, never believe someone crying with snot and tears. Anyone who comes to me with snot and tears, bad news. Why are you crying? Chinese Mingding Doctrine does not believe in tears, we believe in growth. Go, go, go, grow well, don't be so hopeless, why are you crying? What's wrong? Feel wronged? Tell me where you feel wronged, that's called discerning good and evil. Ah, if you don't do it this way, how should you do it?

Why are you crying? Still feel wronged? I haven't felt wronged yet. I serve you, and you are like this, I haven't felt wronged yet. So the church, sifting batch after batch, sifting batch after batch, still wronged, what grievance do you have? Has anyone wronged you? Has anyone taken your money? No, then why are you crying? You took the church's money, and I haven't said anything yet. This time we have to be careful.

So what is the purpose of being registered? To give out money, must be 60 years old. Then I ask you, what about fifty-nine and a half years old? Still half a year away from her birthday, and there are those who fraudulently claim: "She is actually fifty-nine years old, I am sixty." "Show me your ID card, did I get a fake ID card?" Using money to attract people is the worst, not only widows are like this; using money to attract people, I tell you, is very bad, I have learned a deep lesson.

Elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:17-18)

Timothy gave all the money to the widows. Outside, the widows lined up, a long line, not only consuming Timothy's time, but also the relationship he established with them, it can't be called a relationship. What relationship do you have with a widow? Elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. Did Timothy honor them? Probably not. Then why didn't he honor the elders who direct the affairs of the church well? Why? Even his time was consumed by the widows. This time everyone must understand.

I have to tell you all, in our Chinese Mingding Doctrine, those who serve have the say, those who don't serve stand aside, it is definitely not that those who serve are hired. It's not that you are an elder, you should be doubly honored, it is because you are an elder who directs the affairs of the church well, you should receive double honor.

I tell you all, let me tell you a "Timothy Untold Story". Why did Paul talk about widows first and then about the elders who direct the affairs of the church well? Why? Because some elders who direct the affairs of the church well drove these widows out of the church. For example, how do these elders direct the affairs of the church well? Go, go, go, give each person a booklet to study at home, bring your notes tomorrow. Tomorrow, looking at the door, no one is lining up, are they elders who direct the affairs of the church well? Then do they need to be doubly honored?

How did Timothy handle it? Timothy probably didn't honor them. Timothy even thought, how could they get rid of these widows? To put it bluntly, Timothy even felt that these elders were wrong: how can you be so unloving? These widows need us so much. Think about it, is it connected like this? It is connected like this. Timothy completely reversed it.

That's why I say, in the future, if Timothy sees me in heaven, will he be embarrassed? I have stripped away his seemingly great image. Don't think that Timothy is a person who directs the affairs of the church well. If a person who directs the affairs of the church well doesn't have some wisdom, can he do this? The church is very difficult to manage, the problems in the church are very serious. Why? If you are not ruthless enough, you can't do this job. If you don't have love, you can't do this job either. If you have love, you have to get rid of the problem of indulging the flesh.

You will find at any time that after I serve, people don't like to look for me anymore. Of course, I also save time. Then I won't talk nonsense with you. After I serve, they leave, that's good. If after I serve, they stay, then you are Timothy.

So our brothers and sisters, elders who direct the affairs of the church well, should be doubly honored. I tell you all, many places in the church need to be adjusted. Do you still think that God wants all people to be saved, those who gossip and meddle in other people's business, and those lazy widows? Forget it! I think if they can be saved, the sun will rise from the west.

I don't think people will change. Think about it, it's hard for people to change. If you tell me you have changed, then tell me how you changed. As the Chinese saying goes, "Don't show off your axe in front of Guan Gong." If you come to me to show off, I want to hear it. Can't do anything, but number one in preaching, how can that be? What gospel are you preaching? Bringing a bunch of those nonsense widows, and thinking you have preached a great gospel. Who teaches? I teach. What are you doing?

So, our brothers and sisters must know that it is not that you are an elder, you should receive double honor, it is that you are an elder who knows how to direct the affairs of the church. Do you understand this time? Forget about elders like Peter. He ruined the church in Jerusalem, only knowing how to sell property and share everything in common, raising a bunch of lazy bums, raising a bunch of pigs. Are those Christians? Those are not Christians. I tell you, the Apostle Paul just didn't say it, I'm just making it clear. The Apostle Paul completely disagreed with Peter's teachings and the logic of the church in Jerusalem.

Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.

Why say this? This is "Timothy Untold Story". Timothy received many accusations: this elder is bad, that elder is bad. I ask you all: which elders are bad? Elders who offend people are bad. Accusations against elders, some are fabricated, some are true, some are false, all kinds.

Accusations against elders, I must tell you all today. Who is easily accused? The elders who govern the church. If you don't touch anything, just greet this brother and this sister with peace, just press the recorder, "Peace," press again, "Peace," no one will accuse you.

Someone comes and says: "I'm here to the church to receive welfare money." The receptionist is busy saying: "Ah, okay, okay." Register and get on the bus. Nothing happens, they leave happily, no accusations. I ask you all, you come to receive welfare money and say: "I am a widow." Ask her: "How old are you?" She answers: "Thirty years old." Then you say: "Go, go, go, go home and work." Do you understand? Then do you think there will be no accusations? There will definitely be accusations. Timothy really lacked wisdom, he just wanted the church to always have love. Is giving money to widows love? That's not love. Are there accusations? Yes! Do not entertain an accusation unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.

I have to tell you, shepherding the little ones is my responsibility, understand? Don't say, "What about him? Does he lack love?" That is my job, not yours. Of course, I have a general idea of how each little shepherd is doing.

So, Timothy got many things a bit messed up, why? Because Timothy was weak. Why was he weak? Because his understanding was not so good. If there was a Timothy with excellent understanding, he should have had epistles written by him in the Bible. Until now, there are no epistles written by Timothy; he couldn't write anything substantial. Now, you must know that in the entire history of the church, Timothy did not make any significant contributions. The one who truly contributed, accumulated, and is recorded is the Apostle Paul. Don't think Timothy was a great figure; he was not. He was a representative of weakness. Then why did God still use him? God can use anyone.

Rebuke Those Who Sin in the Presence of All

Those who are sinning, rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of others follow later. Likewise, the good works also are evident, and those that are not evident cannot be hidden. (1 Timothy 5:20-25)

There is no dispute that this Timothy was timid and weak. If Timothy had been capable, he would not have been like this. Then, regarding rebuking those who sin in the presence of all, I ask you, did Timothy have the courage for this? Timothy did not have this courage. So how could Paul give him this courage? Paul said, "I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things."

Can everyone now discern this tone? It's that Paul brought out Jesus, and Paul also brought out the angels, wanting to give Timothy some courage. Those who sin in the church, rebuke them in the presence of all. I ask you, what kind of people? Those who accuse elders, those who are picky; those widows, and old women who speak absurdities, isn't it? Also those who lie, are hypocritical, and those who follow seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. These things are too detestable.

So Paul wrote 1 Timothy, "Rebuke those who sin in the presence of all." Timothy said, "Apostle Paul, even if you gave me the courage of a lion, I wouldn't have the guts to stand before everyone and say this is sin." Paul said, "You are too considerate of the flesh, you are too discerning of good and evil!" How could Timothy have this courage? Why didn't he have this courage? Because he was weak to the core; weakness is actually poor understanding. How could he have courage if his understanding is poor?

Now everyone must know that we brothers and sisters must have understanding. Why must we have understanding? Because we have faith in God in our understanding, and that faith is genuine faith. What if you rebuke them? The church continues to move forward. Are you afraid they will leave? Then can you crawl forward?

So our church has a characteristic: there is no such thing as saving face. Some people say, "Don't use the pulpit as a cannon platform." Hey! Our pulpit is a cannon platform, specifically aimed at those who sin, bang, bang, bang, all electromagnetic cannons with no recoil. If you don't manage those who sin, if sin becomes rampant in the church, it's like a flood, which is deadly.

Our brothers and sisters must understand that building the church and governing the church absolutely cannot compromise with sin. Compromising with sin is troublesome. Brothers and sisters, I tell you, the Chinese Mingding Doctrine truly inherits the teachings of the Apostle Paul; otherwise, we could not examine 1 Timothy like this. If you search online for 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy, no one examines them like we do; aren't they all talking nonsense? All talking nonsense. Of course, you might say they will scold me: "Only what you say is right?" Then read carefully; as long as you have the level of a sixth-grader, you can see if that's the case.

Do not compromise with those who sin. Why is the church the body of Jesus Christ? What if people compromise? Giving face to people? Why give face to people? Because there is prejudice. Why is there prejudice? Because there is partiality in actions. This guy is very eloquent; if I say he is sinning, won't he come and scratch me? He has sharpened his fingernails. If I say he is sinning, won't I stir up a hornet's nest? Does everyone feel this way? You cannot have prejudice, and you cannot have partiality.

Why partiality? Ponder it slowly. A sister working in a company came back and told me, "Teacher, do you know? We have a female colleague in our company, oh my goodness, a tigress. Our company's president has to give her some leeway; no one dares to provoke her. If she messes up, it's okay; no one dares to provoke her. You can't touch her; if you touch her, she stings." Then I ask everyone, what if the church has such a person? Difficult to handle.

Do Not Share in Other People's Sins; Keep Yourself Pure

Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22)

This Timothy must have laid hands on the wrong person. Why do I say this? If it weren't so, why would Paul write this? What was he ordaining? There are two kinds of laying on of hands: the first kind is to receive the Holy Spirit, which is not bestowing authority but allowing people to receive the Holy Spirit; this is the first kind. The second kind of laying on of hands is when I lay my hands on you and give you an appointment, making you a little shepherd or a pastor. If you ordain the wrong person, what do you do? Then you must be careful.

The previous chapters were about ordaining these overseers or ordaining these elders, ordaining these deacons. You must be careful; there are standards, but Timothy is soft-eared. An old man or an old woman, you say he should be a leader? And he lays hands on them. Isn't that the case? This is my wild guess, but do not lay hands on anyone hastily; if you are hasty, it will be bad; examine him carefully.

Does everyone understand what it means to examine him carefully? See if he is capable or not. If you are hasty, you will think everything looks good. Isn't that a bit one-sided? Upon examination, it's not the case. So this laying on of hands must not be hasty; do not share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure; do not mess around. So governing the church really requires wisdom, requires wisdom to handle the leadership issues in the church; requires wisdom to handle the issues of those widows in the church; requires wisdom to handle the issues of sin in the church.

Stomach Problems, Frequent Illnesses, Do Not Be Rigid, Use a Little Wine

Many people treat this matter as a problem. Today, I will explain it a bit. The previous problem was the problem of laying on of hands, thinking that laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit is sharing in other people's sins. No, that is receiving the Holy Spirit. The laying on of hands in 1 Timothy refers to ordaining leaders, which means you are giving them a responsibility, and you must be responsible.

No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. (1 Timothy 5:23)

What is the problem this time? Many people think, "Wouldn't it be better for Paul to pray for Timothy?" Paul prayed for him, but his thoughts were too heavy, and he lacked wisdom. I ask you, will the stomach problem not return? It will return! So many problems are closely related to understanding.

But if Timothy's understanding improves, and his thoughts clear, I think that will take forever. That takes time. But now his stomach is not good, his thoughts are too heavy, he is handling too many problems, handling himself in a hurry, scrambling, and then his stomach feels uncomfortable. Imagine if he reads 1 Timothy, and the next day his stomach problem flares up, what should he do? Annoying, so what should he do? Drink some wine; this is flexibility. Don't say, "He is sick; exorcism doesn't work." It's not like that; it's that Timothy is not so clear in his understanding and often falls into the devil's lies.

Someone on the website said, "I believe in the Lord; I belong to Jesus. How can I still attract demons?" How can you not attract demons? Based on your understanding, which part of you truly belongs to Jesus? Don't think that just because you have just believed in the Lord, you completely belong to Jesus. I see that many places are still unreached territories.

Do not be rigid; drink some wine. Why drink some wine? I tell you, especially high-proof liquor, is a good thing. Of course, alcoholism and getting drunk are not good, but drinking a little wine is indeed a good thing. I can't talk nonsense; I still speak based on facts. In China, we often hear a term called "seeking truth from facts," which means dealing with problems according to China's national conditions and specific actual situations. Everyone often hears about seeking truth from facts. How to handle this matter, how to handle that matter, you must seek truth from facts. What does seeking truth from facts mean? It works for him to drink wine.

For example, a brother had a heart disease that was cured. After he recovered, he was weak a month later, very weak, physically weak, and had no strength. Do you think I should pray for him or let him drink some wine? Let everyone guess. You might guess wrong; I let him drink some wine. After drinking this wine, his strength completely recovered two days later. Why? Because I tried it, and it worked. So if your stomach feels uncomfortable, drink some wine.

In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, those who loved to drink were less likely to be infected. Those who didn't drink were more likely to be infected. So our brothers and sisters must know these facts; we cannot deny them. I encourage everyone, of course, if you drink it and your stomach feels hot, if you feel a bit uncomfortable, that's right; that's how it feels after drinking wine; this feeling is right; it's just that you are not used to it and don't like it. Our brothers and sisters must not be rigid; in fact, it's pretty good.

For example, when I pray while pressing acupoints, the effect is better than not pressing them. Ponder it slowly. Many people say, "Why do you have to do this? Why? Does it mean that if you don't press them, the prayer won't work?" Hey, the Bible says, "Lay hands on the sick, and they will recover," but where to press is a skill. Later, I practiced, and thanks to God's revelation, for some difficult patients, I really prayed and prayed, but it didn't work for a long time. Later, when I pressed, the demon immediately revealed its true form; it had a fatal spot. What I am saying means that people must be flexible; believing in the Lord cannot make you stupid. Don't believe in the Lord and become a Timothy; becoming a Timothy means lacking wisdom.

Why say this? I was thinking, did Timothy say, "I believe in the Lord; I cannot drink wine." I don't know if everyone has this concept. One family, from the younger sister to the sister-in-law, all had illnesses. The two younger sisters were twins and had depression. They drove more than ten hours from far away with their whole family because their sister-in-law had recovered. When I met them, I had to take them, like in the dead of winter in Northeast China, so I took them to a restaurant to eat first, checked them in, and then talked about the illness. I ordered a bottle of white wine because it was winter. They said, "If our elder were here, that wouldn't be allowed." As a result, the whole family said that wouldn't be allowed. Oh my goodness, your elder is more powerful than Jesus! Jesus drank casually.

I think it's not about not drinking wine, it's about not getting drunk. There are too many rigid things, too many dirty and filthy things to be removed, too many false things. Did Jesus drink? Jesus drank. Did Jesus get drunk? He didn't get drunk. Did Timothy drink wine? It seems he didn't drink. Paul said, "Drink some wine." So how can there be such a thing as not being able to drink wine?

We are talking about 1 Timothy chapter 5: have the wisdom to handle church governance issues, especially complex issues. I have said a lot, and I hope Timothy won't blame me in heaven if he hears it; I am just telling the truth.

May God bless everyone!