Scripture Reference: 2 Timothy 3:1-17
Turn Away from the False – Continued
Please read 2 Timothy 3:1-9 for background to this section.
In place of the natural love that God has put into men and women and families, today we have a good deal of unnatural love which God has condemned (see Romans 1:18-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). It is confusion, and God will judge it (Romans 1:28-32).
Not only in homes, but out in society and the business world as well, the characteristics of these perilous times may be seen. “Unforgiving [trucebreakers]” describes people who will not try to agree. They are unyielding and irreconcilable and must have their own way.
In order to defend their position, they become “slanderers [false accusers]” and try to tear down the reputations of others. Unfortunately, some of this activity goes on even among professed Christians. “Christian leaders” accuse one another in the pages of their publications.
They are people “without self-control.” The motto of our society today is “Do your own thing and enjoy it!” It’s even the slogan of a famous sportswear company. However sad it is to say, some of the children born to the people who believe this motto, don’t always get to enjoy it because they are deformed or handicapped as the result of the drugs, alcohol, or venereal diseases that supposedly comes with “doing your own thing!”
This lack of self-control reveals itself in a number of ways. When these people cannot have their way, they become much like savage beasts, “brutal.” Instead of honoring what is good, they despise what is good and honor what is evil. In society today the standards of right and wrong have been turned upside down and backwards, twisted, if not destroyed. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil,” cried Isaiah the prophet (Isaiah 5:20).
“Traitors” of course describes people who betray others and cannot be trusted. Neither friendship nor partnership makes any difference to them; they lie and break their promises whenever doing so helps them get their own way and progress with their own agendas.
“Headstrong” means “reckless, rash, acting without careful thought.” Paul did not condemn honest adventure, but foolish endeavor.
“Haughty [high-minded]” does not describe a person with lofty thoughts. Rather, it means a person who is “puffed up” with his importance. “Conceited” is a good synonym.
“Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” does not suggest that we must choose between pleasure and God; for when we live for God, we enjoy the greatest pleasures (Psalm 16:11). The choice is between loving pleasure or loving God. If we love God, we will also enjoy fullness of life here and forever; but the pleasures of sin can only last for a brief time (Hebrews 11:25). No one can deny that we live in a pleasure-mad world; but these pleasures too often are just shallow entertainment and escape; they are not enrichment and true enjoyment; they might bring temporary happiness due to circumstances, but they have no deepness of joy.
Paul stated that these people he has just described would consider themselves religious! “Having a form of godliness” suggests an outward appearance of religion, but not true Christian faith; for they have never experienced the power of God in their lives. Form without force. Religion without reality. Appearance without substance.
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
You must be logged in to post a comment.