Paul recognized potential when he saw it. He had always believed young Timothy could become an effective soldier for Christ. But, like a father sending his young son into battle, Paul also knew there were hazards. Having potential is not enough in the Christian life. Countless followers of Christ have squandered the enormous potential that was theirs through careless or unfocused living.
Apparently there were those who had prophesied concerning Timothy. They had seen the work God had done in his young life and they sensed God had far more He intended to do. The key for Timothy was to heed the counsel of those who spoke words of truth into his life, rather than being distracted by those who spoke criticism and falsehood.
We live and serve on a spiritual battlefield. In a war zone, you don’t have to be careless for very long before you experience great suffering. So Timothy had to remember and apply the godly counsel he had previously been given. All the counsel in the world is of no use to the one who fails to apply it!
You live and work on a spiritual battlefield. Are you living your life by godly counsel and wisdom? You, too, have great potential. Be extremely careful you do not squander it.