We are warned about the dangers of the last days throughout the Bible. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul warned Timothy of what was to come. “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (NLT) Paul goes on to shed more light on the characteristic of such people in that they are ever learning, yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Be aware!
This is a time when people find it expedient to appear to be genuinely religious but not expedient to live godly lives. That is just not something God is interested in. God judges by what is in the heart, and no matter how good someone makes themselves look, He knows what is in their heart. Godliness makes a person or a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people (Proverbs 14:34), is a principle that God uses throughout the Bible with which He either extends or withholds blessings. It is the righteous living, not the outward appearance of religious piety that counts with Him!
Paul's advice is to avoid these people who have made themselves appear righteous! “These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. But they won't get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres” 2 Timothy 3: 8-9 (NLT). He goes on to affirm that Timothy knows the truth and has witnessed how to live as a Christian through Paul. Everything we need to know about how to live a life in Christ with integrity and purpose is recorded for us in scripture through the lives of God's people as well as the life of Jesus. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us how to realign to how God wants us to live, continuing on the path of His righteousness. God uses scripture to prepare and equip His people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Use the tools God has given you. When you veer off and search in other places, it is easy to be taken in by those who seem to be righteous and have all the answers. They just may not have the answers God has for you, but instead be a wolf hiding in a sheep skin, filling you with confusion and discouragement.
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