“Avoid Such…”
Blessings Folk!!
As we have seen, we are to be ready “in season and out of season”.
Why?
Because the time will come, and is here, when “they will not endure sound doctrine.”
I believe that this is a directed Word to the Body of Christ.
The Church has rapidly turned to those who…
- tickle ears
- teach according to their own desires...power, money, prestige, etc.
- teach myths...not the Truth of the Lord.
We have examined these things.
Paul had warned Timothy earlier in the letter that certain men would arise.
Note a couple of things.
The timing - in the last days.
From where - they would “arise”. I think from within the Body.
Hear the Word of the Lord
2 Tim 3:1-5
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
KJV
Read another translation…
2 Tim 3:1-5
3 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
NASU
One more version...this helps to understand what the various descriptive terms mean.
2 Tim 3:1-5
1 But know this: difficult times will come in the last days.
2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good,
4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5 holding to the form of religion but denying its power. Avoid these people!
(from Holman Christian Standard Bible® Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005 by Holman Bible Publishers.)
This describes many who “are in the church.”
They “hold to a form of godliness/religion”, yet they deny the power of the Most High God.
We must be ready in season and out of season to deal with this.
We must reprove.
We must rebuke/correct.
We must encourage with great patience and long-suffering.
We must encourage and exhort with correct doctrine.
We have been warned through the words of Jesus, John, Paul and Peter that these type would arise...especially in the last days.
The time has come to no longer allow those who are…
- lovers of self
- lovers of money
- boastful
- proud
- blasphemers
- disobedient to parents
- ungrateful
- unholy
- unloving
- irreconcilable
- slanderers
- without self-control
- brutal
- without love for what is good
- traitors
- reckless
- conceited
- lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
...to run rough-shod over the Body of Christ.
These false profess-ors are the tares of which Jesus warned.
So, what do we do?
First, be certain that you are not one of these individuals.
Second, speak the truth to them.
Third, avoid such.
Stand firm in the truth.
If you find yourself in a situation where such people are “ruling” and refuse to repent, then leave.
Let them have their “form of godliness.”
Seek the Lord.
He will guide you.
Pray for those here - http://www.dalemoore.tv/page9/page9.html
Blessings!!
Today’s reading from the “So That’s Why” Bible consists of pp. 967-972.