Paul describes what is personally involved in “fighting the good fight,” by instructing Timothy to hold on to faith and a good conscience. Faith is the complete gospel, the pure doctrine and knowledge of Jesus Christ and God. In dealing with false teachers, Timothy must be certain of truth and hold on to it and not be pulled into error. Satan deals in deception, and truth is the response which defeats such arrogance. A good conscience is a life lived blameless before God and others. It is not perfection. Such a person is free of guilt before God and before the community of believers.