Precious Truths for Perilous Times

We are in a state of spiritual warfare and if not prepared, Satan will tear us down & possibly detour another person from coming to Christ.

It is very unusual that I would ask you to read a chapter in the Bible when reading one of my blog entries. It is also very unusual that I speak of Godlessness in the last days in contrast to a Christian being complete in Christ and living in the last days. However, due to a situation that I have been involved in and just observing the world around us, this chapter has been on my heart in so many ways lately. Oh, how my heart hurts for those going through the motions of attending church, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power (2 Timothy 3:5). Those that are completely wrapped up in religious practices and routines without a thriving relationship with our Lord and Creator. Often these people truly are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (vs 7). True knowledge and wisdom come only through God as seen in Proverbs 2:6, “For the Lord gives wisdom, from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. James 1:5 and Proverbs 2:6-8 also address the wisdom that comes only from God. My blog would be much too long if I were to print the entire chapter here, so I encourage you to use your Bible App or pick up your Bible and read 2 Timothy 3 now or immediately after reading this blog. There is so much to gain from this chapter! Sister, we are in a state of spiritual warfare and if not prepared, armed and ready for the enemy, Satan, who is lurking around waiting for a moment of weakness, will tear us down and possible detour another person from coming to a saving knowledge of Christ. Don’t allow him to even get a foothold in your life.

The Godless people described in verses 2-5 describe most of our society today. Indeed, as verse 1 says, “in the (these) last days, there will come times of difficulty”, we are there! Many of us question what we should do, how should we act and react, will we really be persecuted? Who are the “deceiving impostors” going from bad to worse in verse 13? How do we guard and protect ourselves? Sweet sister in Christ, the answers to all these questions and fears are found in God’s Word and we can begin in the final verses of 2 Timothy 3.

Beginning in verse 13, I am going to simply list Paul’s instruction to Timothy.

1. CONTINUE in what you have learned and firmly believe

2. KNOW/ ACKNOWLEDGE the Source (God) of your knowledge

3. TRUST in the foundational role and power of God’s Word to guide you

4. CLAIM the power of Christ rather than fear evil/ your opposition

5. READ scripture that you may be complete/ capable and equipped/ proficient in everything you are called to be and do

John Piper said, “I have never met a mature, fruitful, strong, spiritually discerning Christian who is not full of Scripture, devoted to regular meditation on Scripture, and given to storing it in the heart through Bible memorization”.  Friend, these words from John Piper are a lot to think about especially considering the scripture shared with you here from 2 Timothy 3.

Here are some “heart check” questions for you to think about and consider.

1. Are you allowing God’s Word to teach you? You must read it to learn.

2. Do you respond when God’s Word convicts you of weaknesses and shortcomings or do you ignore your precious Holy Spirit’s call? Do you allow/ make effort for correction?

3. Is scripture memorization important to you to build a strong foundation and defense for living in these last days? The devil will attempt to defeat scripture memorization in every possible way- don’t let him win!

4. Are you preparing your family (children) to stand firm? Are you setting an example in reading God’s Word and hiding it in your heart. They will need a firm foundation and much spiritual strength in the days ahead.

Although this is not the ordinary for my blogs, I want you to be encouraged through this scripture. Read and reread verses 14-17. Rejoice in God’s plan for your life. Rejoice that God is your “Firm Foundation”! Rejoice that you know the end of the story and that your “Abba Father” holds the future in His hands. He is ALWAYS faithful, but “Are we faithful to Him?” It is never too late to start! Pick up your Bible, read, memorize, pray. Prepare and arm yourself today for the battles you will face tomorrow.

{I decided to give you the passage here}

2 Timothy 3- But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

**Extra info: Jannes and Jambres are believed to be the two chief magicians (sorcerers) who withstood Moses and Aaron in Exodus 7. They exerted a wicked influence on Israel.

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