It’s Imperative

Share Now

Last night Ray taught us from 1 Timothy 4. He pointed out that Paul gives Timothy many commands in this chapter. When I was studying grammar in Mrs. Landrum’s 7th and 8th grade English classes, I learned about:

• Declarative sentences, such as: I put a Christmas wreath on my office door yesterday.
• Interrogative sentences, such as: Have you started decorating for Christmas yet?
• Exclamatory sentences, such as: That is a beautiful Christmas tree!
• Imperative sentences, such as: Don’t swing that doll so close to the tree.

Paul uses many imperative sentences in 1 Timothy 4.

Have nothing to do with worldly fables.

Discipline yourself for godliness.

Prescribe and teach these things.

Let no one look down on your youthfulness.

In speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Give attention to the reading of Scripture.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you.

Take pains with these things.

Be absorbed in them.

Pay attention to yourself.

Persevere in these things.

Paul was teaching Timothy how to be an effective minister. In verse 6, he had written about Timothy being a good servant of Christ Jesus. He had spoken about him being nourished on the words of the faith.

Paul saw Timothy as his “true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). In this 4th chapter, Paul was treating Timothy like a son. Paul loved Timothy too much not to teach him. To do that, Paul used imperative sentences. As Ray helped us see, Paul did not say, “I think this would be a good idea, Timothy” or “Why don’t you think about this, Timothy?”

Timothy needed direction. Paul knew what Timothy needed to do, so he told him. He, as we say, “flat out told him.” Paul didn’t badger. He taught with love and kindness. However, he was not wishy-washy. It seems to me that imperative sentences have gone out of style. In a “You do what feels right for you and I’ll do what feels right for me” culture, imperative sentences don’t go over very well.

Don’t be afraid of imperative sentences with your children. In fact, be afraid of not using imperative sentences. We aren’t born knowing the best way to go with our lives. We can’t look inside ourselves to find it. It’s not there. Our children can’t look inside themselves to find it either.

Okay, I’m going to do it. I’m going to use an imperative sentence here. Here goes.

Love your children enough to tell them plainly what they need to do. Do it kindly, but do it. Their lives are too precious to be left without loving teaching from loving mamas who have learned truth from God’s Word.

Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction,
And do not ignore your mother’s teaching;
Proverbs 1:8

 

 

 

 

Share Now