It Starts Small

3 But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. ² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, ⁴ traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people.

⁶ For among them are those who worm their way into households and deceive gullible women overwhelmed by sins and led astray by a variety of passions, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so these also resist the truth. They are men who are corrupt in mind and worthless in regard to the faith. ⁹ But they will not make further progress, for their foolishness will be clear to all, as was the foolishness of Jannes and Jambres.

2 Timothy 3:1-9

last days

We are undeniably in the last days now! Many hold onto the belief that the world will continue to improve until Jesus returns, but this passage vividly reveals the harsh truth: it is not so! We are faced with a torrent of difficulties and an alarming rise in sin around us. Here, we confront certain sins that, while always present, will escalate to overwhelming levels, becoming unmistakable signs of these tumultuous last days!

We witness an alarming rise in these sins. This is an unsettling trend that has escalated over the past several decades. It is especially noticeable in the West. Many of these sins bear a religious label yet are starkly devoid of any genuine embodiment of faith. This troubling phenomenon unfolds across the globe, permeating the very fabric of the church. Shockingly, numerous pastors renounce the Bible as the ultimate Word of God. They dismiss the inerrancy of Scripture. They also turn away from the Genesis account of creation. They lead lives disconnected from the profound truths that Scripture offers. This disconnection is a heartbreaking reality. It is a reality we must confront.

Many individuals identify as Christians solely in name, yearning for the psychological comfort that this label provides. It grants them a false sense of safety and an illusion of goodness. For many, it’s merely a hollow tradition or an ingrained cultural norm. We cannot allow ourselves to fall into this trap! We must boldly distance ourselves from such sins that characterize the worldly. We are called to abstain from these transgressions. We must also resolutely steer clear of those who embrace these practices!

²⁰ The one who walks with the wise will become wise,
but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 13:20

Do not set foot in a church or fellowship where the people are entangled in worldly ways. They dismiss the power of Scripture! Let us not be lured by captivating music, flashy programs, or grand buildings. Our hearts should long for the Word of God taught with unwavering truth. We cannot straddle the fence; it is time to choose! We must choose where to place our loyalty. We cannot balance one foot in this fleeting world. It is impossible while trying to keep the other in God’s glorious kingdom. God yearns for us to be “all in” for Him, wholly devoted and fervently committed!

For among them are those who worm their way into households

The men who engage in such deceitful acts prey ruthlessly on the vulnerable. With calculated charm, they ensnare women, tugging at their heartstrings and exploiting their deepest emotions. Meanwhile, they have motives soaked in selfish desire. They view the women they manipulate as mere objects for their gratification. They exploit these souls’ longing for companionship and security. They savor the intimacy before callously discarding them. Then, they eagerly seek their next conquest.

God fervently longs for us to cherish one another, not exploit or manipulate. We must resist the temptation to take advantage of those around us! However, we must also be vigilant, never allowing ourselves to be swept away by the allure of fleeting desires. Embrace the discernment that God has graciously bestowed upon you! Use the Bible’s invaluable resources. Reach out to wise, godly counselors. They will help safeguard your journey. This ensures you do not fall into the grasp of those who lead astray.

always learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Learning is not just an act; it’s a powerful journey that is meant to elevate us to greater heights! Studying should connect us to the divine, guiding us closer to God with each piece of knowledge absorbed. We must see learning as a dynamic process, a fervent quest that propels us towards an extraordinary destiny. Just as a baby inevitably grows into a vibrant individual, we must also grow. We should not remain merely students forever. We must stop endlessly searching for the truth without grasping its essence. Let us embrace our evolution and boldly seek the wisdom that awaits us!

Studying in university or pursuing various degrees is not just a pursuit; it’s a powerful stepping stone toward transformation. What is the purpose of being a career student if you never unleash the knowledge you have acquired into the world? Likewise, attending Bible study is not merely an act—it’s a profound journey with a vibrant destination. Our ultimate goal is to experience genuine change in our lives! If you find yourself resistant to obedience and feel no shift in your existence, then what’s the point in attending? We must immerse ourselves deeply in God’s Word, striving for true comprehension. Only then can we allow the truth to revolutionize our lives!

so these also resist the truth

Opposing the truth leads only to monumental failure! We must never find ourselves standing against God and His divine plans, or we risk falling just as Jannes and Jambres did. For a time, they seemed to successfully defy God, skillfully imitating miracles and convincing Pharaoh to disregard the Almighty’s commands. But their triumph was short-lived; they soon faced the very plagues they sought to escape, suffering alongside the others. These men claimed to be spiritual leaders. Yet, they completely failed to recognize that the events unfolding around them were the hand of God. They were not mere tricks of sorcery. Despite their position, instead of repenting and turning to the one true God, they stubbornly hardened their hearts.

Soon, every sharp-minded individual in Egypt began to realize the undeniable truth. Moses stood on the side of righteousness. Jannes and Jambres revealed their profound folly for all to witness. Their deception was laid bare, igniting a fervor amongst the people. Who else in the annals of the Bible dared to defy God so openly? And what were the consequences of such audacity?

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Cross-References

• Matthew 24:14
• 2 Peter 3:3-4
• Matthew 24:22

Discussion Questions

• What does the phrase “having the appearance of godliness, but denying it’s power” mean?
• What does it mean to avoid these types of people?
• If we see them on the street should we turn away from them?
• What do these people do according to verse 6?
• Why do they target these vulnerable women?
• What kind of person may be more vulnerable?
• In verse 7, who is the one who is always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth?
• How can someone always be learning but never come to the knowledge of the truth?

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