Slices
Prepare
How do you react to someone who tries to manipulate you, treats you unkindly, or whose way of life is utterly focused on themselves?
Bible passage
3 But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
Explore
In the fourth century BC, Plato had a go at the youth of the day. In AD 1274, so did Peter the Hermit. Their remarks have sometimes been quoted anonymously, as if written about people nowadays, with the reveal of their origins coming later. And oh, what a surprise! People (and not just young people) have been acting the same way from time immemorial to the present day.
Paul’s list of activities and attitudes to be avoided is awful, whichever translation of the Bible you read it from. (The Message paraphrase is particularly graphic!) The kinds of behaviours described are, of course, damaging to the people who behave like that and damaging to those on the receiving end, who are prevented from finding the truth (v 7). No wonder Paul advises Timothy to steer clear – run away (vs 5; 2:22)! What’s worse is that in ‘having a form of godliness but denying its power’ (v 5), such people are engaged in the rituals of worship but refuse to let God change them into who he created them to be – denying his power to redeem and renew.
Respond
Honestly? Some of these behaviours might be ours, on occasion. But when we recognise it and seek forgiveness, the saving grace and mercy of God comes to meet us and transform us into the likeness of Christ. Ask God for his forgiveness now.
Deeper Bible study
‘... making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.’1
Paul’s reference to the last days (v 1) reveals his sense of urgency. The last days began after Jesus’ resurrection and will continue to his second coming: we must make the most of the time God has given us.2 In verses 2–4 we find a list of no fewer than eighteen vices that will characterise people in the last days. These conditions have always existed, but they will become more marked at the end. The warning is: don’t give in to society’s pressures, don’t settle for comfort without commitment, but stand up against evil by living as God would have his people live.
In many parts of the world today this is easier said than done. If you have integrity, you will be condemned. When I worked in Philips India, in the Quality Control Department in the 1960s, I refused to pass a component which I knew was defective. My boss (under pressure from the top) tried to force me to do it, but I refused – so he passed it and I didn’t get promotion for three years. God is no one’s debtor, however. I bought a good camera and God opened for me a business to take photos at friends’ weddings. In the end I was getting more money than if I had been promoted! Incidentally, the radios we made failed in the field because of that defect, and had to be recalled for repair.
In verses 6-9 Paul criticises the false teachers for their depraved living. We need to understand the Bible well. It’s not enough just to learn without understanding and transformation. There is a need for proper theological teaching. We need to stand boldly for the truth.
May you become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a depraved generation, shining like stars in the universe.3
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 21,22; Psalms 117,118
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for our partnership with the Diocese of Durham, that it will bear much fruit and that we can learn and grow together in understanding how best to share the good news of Jesus with the next generation. (This week's prayers relate to this article and our recent appeal. Please pray for our passionate pioneers!)
