2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5 - FIRST, THE BAD NEWS

2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5

FIRST, THE BAD NEWS

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Susie: The last days are now. They started when Jesus was raised from the dead and ascended back to the Father and will continue until His return to earth to reign.

Susan: The word translated “perilous” is the same word used to describe the two demon- possessed “fierce and savage” men that lived in the caves of the Gadarenes. As the time of Christ’s appearing draws nearer people will get exponentially more evil.

Matthew 8:28 (AMPC) And when He arrived at the other side in the country of the Gadarenes, two men under the control of demons went to meet Him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce and savage that no one was able to pass that way.

Susie: False teachers will abound even appearing to be “Christians” but masking every kind of treacherous wickedness. Paul lists several of these characteristics in the next verses.

2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Susan: People will be narcissistic, self-centered, and selfish, never thinking of anyone other than themselves.

Susie: They will never be satisfied with what they have, instead greedily envious of their neighbors.

Susan: They have an insatiable, unquenchable desire for things.

Susie: They will be full of pride, boasting of their own deeds rather than giving the glory to God for their accomplishments.

Susan: Blasphemy is glorifying anyone or anything above God. It is crediting the work of God to anyone or anything other than God Himself.

Susie: The first time I realized “disobedient to parents” was in this list I was teaching elementary school. It was easy for me to look around and see that this trait is increasing at an alarming rate. We see news reports of children committing atrocious crimes and running wild. Disrespect toward parents is almost the norm rather than a rare occurrence. On television and in movies, disobedient children are depicted as “cute.” There is nothing cute about sin.

Susan: Ungrateful people ascribe credit everywhere else but where it is due and ascribing value to everything that is not valuable, preferring the temporal rather than the eternal.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Susie: Holiness is being set apart, pure and clean, to God to be used for His purposes. People will be unholy—seeking self-gratification rather than His kingdom.

2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Susie: Most people think of not having natural affection as pointing to living a homosexual, lesbian, or transsexual lifestyle. That is one aspect of this. But consider this: I have noticed an increased number of heinous crimes perpetrated against children by their own parents, even their mothers. It is not natural for a mother to assault or even kill her children. Incest is not natural. All these things fall under the title of “not having natural affection.”

Susan: Trucebreakers do not honor a written or verbal agreement, whether that is a contract between two people or a disarmament agreement between countries.

Susie: Bringing a charge against a person whom you know is innocent, testifying falsely—these things make the news as well. This type of lie is usually perpetrated to save a person’s own life or reputation at the cost of another’s.

Susan: The word translated “incontinent” is used only in this one place in the Bible and means “without self-control.” That can be unable to control the tongue (running off at the mouth), the temper (hotheadedness), or the members of the body:

Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Susie: Fierce, ferocious, savage, impetuous, easily enraged are descriptive of people who behave in an uncivilized manner with total disregard for others. I think of someone who purposely mows down bystanders with their vehicle.

Susan: It reminds me of the soldiers using a tank to flatten Christians gathered in Tiananmen Square in China or those who used jetliners to blow up the World Trade Center. All that maniacal behavior because of differences in ideology.

Susie: Acts of savagery are on the increase, and unfortunately so are those who get twisted enjoyment from watching them.

Susan: These evil-doers despise those who tenaciously pursue godliness above all else, those who run after righteousness, faith, charity, and peace (see 2 Timothy 2:22).

2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Susie: They turn their backs on and even betray those to whom they have made commitments.

Susan: They are reactionary, rushing in before thinking things through. They are haughty and arrogant, thinking higher of themselves than they should, always putting themselves first.

Susie: These types of people are into the pursuit of pleasure above all else. Instant gratification takes the place of pursuing excellence. Satisfying urges replaces waiting upon the Lord and doing His will.

2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Susie: These people may look somewhat like Christians on the outside but inside are not truly empowered by the Holy Spirit. A closer examination of their teaching and their lifestyles reveals them for who they are—imposters.

Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Susan: A polished appearance, how many jewels they wear or don’t wear, a large following, or the size of their bank account, or even the amount they donate to charity does not necessarily denote authentic godliness. True holiness is demonstrated in a person’s character, integrity, devotion to God and to the study and application of His word are better indicators of a person’s heart condition.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Susan: Timothy is to turn away from these types of people, to avoid them at all cost. Do not associate with them other than to try to lead them to the truth of Jesus Christ.

QUESTIONS

1.        Do you believe we are living in “perilous times?” Why or why not?

2.        2 Timothy 3:2 lists several characteristics of many people in the last days. Which do find the most surprising? Why?

3.        What comes to minds when you read the phrase “without natural affection?”

4.        Who do evil people despise?

5.        What do these sinful people love rather than loving God?

6.        What are the characteristics of a person or ministry who truly follows Jesus?