2Timothy chapter 3
It speaks of a time when all the graces of a true and righteous human have completely gone.
It speaks of a deception where people put on a good show, but they have no living evidence or actual proof that they are who they claim to be.
It speaks of those who make big promises, but do not keep their word; of those who are so in love with their own comfort, their looks, their 'bling' and style, that they cannot see who they actually are anymore. They talk the talk as though they were expert in the subject of truth and godliness, but their actions expose them to be liars and hypocrites. Sadly, many good people trust their words and believe in their excuses, and hope that they are who they claim to be. The end, however, will always be the same: disappointment, heartbreak, disillusionment, and paying a very costly price for listening to their claims to fame, wealth, and influence.
Anyone here know what I am talking about?
The chapter begins with a warning that we should be ready for what is called the Last Days of earth as we have known it. It speaks of an era that would come in the distant future of very troubled times. This was written 2,000 years ago. Now we find ourselves right in the centre of this prophecy. At the time of the end, it will become a fierce, dangerous, and very troubled world. In another place it is spoken of as a time of great distress of all nations upon earth; but in this particular chapter it deals with human relations and their characteristics, especially those who claim to be religious or self-righteous.
It speaks of a world where people are lovers of their own selves, intoxicated with how they look, how they are seen and admired, and how much they can spend on their own indulgencies.
They will be 'Covetous (always wanting what is not theirs or what they cannot afford);
boasters (the big 'ME' who must be respected and admired);
proud (cocky, arrogant, self-important);
blasphemers (mockers of God and ridiculers of the Bible God's Word);
disobedient to parents (that is pretty universal in our western liberal culture!);
unthankful (ungrateful, takers and not givers);
unholy (unclean and with no sense of right or wrong; no conscience even.).'
Then it continues, 'Without natural affection (that which is by the design of nature - not that which is considered 'normal' in todays blinded age. Another aspect is that they have little humanity left in them, where they do not care for who they hurt);
truce-breakers (gossipers and slanderers who revel and delight in causing trouble by their evil tongues and searching out another person's faults, or indeed anything that might put someone in trouble);
false accusers (those who are quick to point the finger, and with unashamed face, deliberately put others into trouble through downright lies and deception);
incontinent (not in the way we understand medical incontinency, but speaking of not having any self control);
fierce (a scary and aggressive world where you dare not confront those that do wrong, for fear of violence or retribution);
despisers of those that are good (a society where those who live right and seek to walk uprightly are hated simply because it pricks the conscience of those who live in sin).'
Then there are 'Traitors (those who you trust with your secrets or personal information who use it to destroy you, especially those, who under their religious garments, promise 'confidentiality');
heady (reckless, with no care to who they might hurt by their stupidity);
high-minded (walk with their heads stuck up in the air assuming they are more important than others. Arrogant and pompous.);
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God (Oh, here it is! They say they love God, but are consumed with all of the things of this life, indulging themselves in the luxuries of comfort, money, entertainment, and all that the world has to offer. They say they live for heaven and God, but their lives, habits, money and assets are for them and them alone. They run to church on Sunday and throw a few coins in the plate, but their hearts are all taken up with their clothes, their fashion statements, their cars, houses and everything else that keeps them busy. They are asleep as the world is burning and will not wake up until the flames consume them in their self-deception and unbelief. They are no different, and live no differently to those around them who make no claims to believing in God);
They have a form of godliness, but deny the power of it (They pretend to be holy and righteous, to be true followers of Christ Jesus. They even talk about evangelism and winning souls and doing good works. They might be elders, worship leaders, even pastors or 'apostles' and bishops, BUT they have no truth or living reality in their hearts whatsoever. Their words are those learned from their parents, or from the glamorous tele-evangelists promising instant wealth and blessings, or from the books they read. They are not true to themselves and not true to God. They speak very nice words, but there is no conviction, neither power in what they say or claim to be. They are the whitewashed gravestones that may look very nice, but are full of dead men's bones.');
from such people turn away (from such as has been listed above, break off all relations with such men and women. Leave them to their own delusions and deceptions. Cut them off from your life and get yourself free. You do not need them nor their unholy manners. Their corruption will contaminate your thinking, and their gifts will pervert your words and blind your eyes. See Deuteronomy 16:19, 'For a gift does blind the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.'
'But they (all that has been mentioned above) shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest (seen clearly) by everyone.' (The day is coming and is at hand when they will be exposed and be seen to be what they really are along with the games they have been playing.)
And then finally, in the same chapter and verse 13, it says, 'But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.'
'Evil men', meaning 'those who give hardship to others; bring hard work upon others; cause pain, anxiety and trouble to others.
'Seducers', meaning a 'juggler', an 'enchanter', a 'flatterer', an 'imposter'.
'Wax worse and worse', meaning, 'they will get more wicked and tricky by the day. You cannot change them by trying to correct them. Their eyes have spiritual cataracts that prevent them from seeing the truth about themselves.
'Deceiving and being deceived', meaning that 'they will deceive you more and more so long as you stay with them, and they actually deceive themselves ultimately and thoroughly believe their own lies. None so blind as them that don't want to see.
That is what the Bible says and has been saying for two thousand years. It is time to wake up and get ready to do what God wants you to do. Better to trust in the LORD than to to put confidence in any man or woman, no matter how rich or righteous they may claim to be.
JGM 2021 Telling it like it is
