2 Timothy Series - Last Day’s Depravity - Part 2

 

Last Day’s Depravity - Part 2

2 Tim. 3:6-9

In our continued studying of the immoral depravity of the last days, Paul now speaks not only of those in the world around the church but also the iniquitous creeping virus of these deviant depravities that invades the church body. So let’s read the first portion, “...having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”

Paul was continually having to encounter the false teachers, also the inflaming depravity infiltrating the churches throughout Asia minor and the Roman empire. He had exhorted Timothy to stand fast in the truth of God, the Holy Scriptures and the teachings of the Holy Spirit given to Paul as he had taught Timothy and the churches. These false teachers had the appearance of godliness, but denied its power. They spoke like two of Pharaoh's magicians who opposed Moses and Aaron in Moses’ day (Jannes and Jambres) who looked to continue the enslaving of the Israelites to keep them from freedom. Likewise, during the times of the prophets Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Micah, men spoke in words that were smooth and comforting words that were not from God; much like those who spoke falsely in contrast to the Word of God, keeping the people in idolic enslavement and lies instead of freedom from sin. “For even your brothers and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you; do not believe them, though they speak friendly words to you.” (Jer. 12:6) “the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?” “Who say to the seers, ‘Do not see,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,’” “If a man should go about and utter wind and lies, saying, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,” he would be the preacher for this people!” “For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. Their course is evil, and their might is not right. "Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil, declares the LORD.” (Jer. 5:31, Isaiah 30:10, Micah 2:11, Jer. 23:10-12)

In the early years of the church, the false teachers and false prophets would come into the house churches and prayer meetings with words that were appealing to the flesh, they told them of things that the people wanted to hear, tickling their ears with smooth words. But they didn’t have the Holy Spirit’s anointing nor the life changing words from Jesus as He spoke to the church through the Spirit. Timothy and all the saints were to avoid these people.

Next, The Holy Spirit exhorts Paul to address Timothy to warn the women in the church in Ephesus to these stealthful worms. It is the Holy Spirit who calls the false teachers worms or creeping things. For they enter the strong and make them weak with burdening sins that lead them astray to desired passions and not to the truth of God’s word, salvation in Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that freed them from the worldly passions and to live a holy life in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace…But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (2 Cor. 3:17, Rom. 8:5-6,10)

Paul had seen first hand those who were still trapped by the passion and desires of the law and the flesh, led astray to the snares of sin filled depravities. These false teachers and those who listened and followed them weren’t able to retain the wisdom, understanding, discernment, and instruction of God’s Word, they never arrived at the Truth that would set them free from sin, death, and the iniquitous passions of the flesh, mind, and ears.

Application - Throughout the nearly 2000 years of the church, it has had to contend with false teachings and the depravities of the world and flesh. The enemy of God is truly at the core of these problems, for the scheme of the devil is to lead mankind away from God and salvation in Jesus Christ, as well as false doctrines that were empowered with the pseudo-power of the demonic world. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” “He (Jesus) might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—  and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” “...the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (Eph. 2:1-4, Heb. 2:14-15, 1 John 5:19b) 

As well Paul has taught every christian to beware of these false teachers and their words of deceit. “For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain.” “Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.” “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness,” “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. (Titus 1:10-11; Heb. 13:9; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rom. 16:17-18)

We are only to be engaged in the Gospel of Truth, the Holy Word of God. For it is the power to save, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Rom. 1:16)

We should rejoice in the very Word of God for in Jesus we have everything we need to live a victorious life through faith by grace. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith…For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” “(1 John 5:4-5) 

There is no need for extraneous teaching or works to have salvation, to elevate our standing before God that will draw us near to him. We just need to submit to Him who has already won the war. “So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:7-8a) 

Last Paul again digs back to the Biblical past for example of false teachers and false prophets. So let’s read the last portion of the text, “Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.”

These men who opposed Moses and Aaron were part of Pharaoh's magicians (Exodus 7:11 and then again 7:22; 8:7) who copied some of the plaques with their mystic powers, and who tried desperately to oppose Moses and convince Pharaoh by their demonic powers to refrain from letting the Israelites leave, and God had hardened Pharaoh’s heart as well as these men, for they opposed God, and the demands and the truth spoken by Moses. Their hardened hearts and corrupted minds enslaved them to sinful demonic idolatry that God came to free his people from as well as the enslavement of their physical lives. 

Paul saw these two corrupt men in Ephesus as well as other men in the cities throughout Asia minor. They were an opposition to the gospel and faith in Jesus. Paul saw them as lost and hard hearted, corrupted in mind by the demonic enslavement of the devil and the world. They had disqualified themselves regarding the faith because of their contrary teachings on faith in Jesus, the demonic doctrines of additional works to receive salvation, the denial of the deity of Jesus, and the power of God to bring salvation to a lost world. Paul is relying on God to expose their sins, making it evident to all when comparing it to the scripture and aligning with the scripture foretelling of God’s marvelous plan of redemption through His Son, and the testing of the spirit.

Application - We have been studying the heretical deviances and teaching of the devil in many ways. It is clear that the only way to discern the truth is by the divine absolute Truth, God’s Word and as John taught in 1 John 4:1-3, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.” “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” (1 Thes. 5:20-22)

As the last days draw near to their end, so will the corruption of the fleshly mind and heart and the depravity of demonic teachings. But we are able to stand fast against the enemy's schemes with the armor of God and the promise of the faithfulness of our Savior Jesus Christ, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.” ( Eph.6:13; 2 Thes. 3:3-5)

 Again Rejoice again I say rejoice, for the Lord is near. Just as Paul told us by the Holy Spirit, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:4-7)

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis