People to avoid.

[Xeno.of.athens]

[NRSVUE 2tim 3:1-5] 1 Godlessness in the Last Days You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!

What do you think about that?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

[NRSVUE 2tim 3:1-5] 1 Godlessness in the Last Days You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!

What do you think about that?

My thinking is that this is what comes with the onset and manifestation of an Age of Revolutionary Thought, which is where we are now and have been for quite some time historically. Many descend into apostasy and defiance and essentially become their own Caligula or Nero, or even their own version of King Solomon.

This is the moral and ideological downward progression we find explained by Paul in Romans chapter 1. The solution to this is found in the rest of that same letter to the Romans (and in the rest of the New Testament writings).

 

[Maria Billingsley]

[NRSVUE 2tim 3:1-5] 1 Godlessness in the Last Days You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!

What do you think about that?

Ah, wolves in sheep's clothing. Unfortunately, we see this all over Christendom today.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Hentenza]

[NRSVUE 2tim 3:1-5] 1 Godlessness in the Last Days You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!

What do you think about that?

All of these people are present now and exhibiting the evil behavior that Paul described. Historically these type of people have always existed in one form or another.

However, Paul qualifies these verses as happening “in the last days” so the obvious question is are we living in the last days?

 

[bèlla]

The advice is sound and reminiscent of what I shared regarding sheep and goats the other day and how their behavior mirrors the points the bible makes that’s why they used the analogy. In the natural, sheep don’t influence goats. They’re called docile for a reason and if you put them in a pen they’ll stay put.

But goats are a different breed and containing them isn’t enough. You have to reinforce the structure or they’ll climb out. And if you put them with sheep they’ll follow suit. That’s why we’re admonished not to be unequally yoked. The unrighteous are more likely to influence us than the reverse.

There’s an agricultural term that attests to this called the Judas goat. He’s trained to be amongst the sheep and lead them to a designated location. Look at the image. Just like we have them on the farm we have them in the world, body and so on. If we want to avoid the same the bible instructs us to obtain wisdom.

To you, O men, I call, And my voice is directed to the sons of men. “O you naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], understand prudence and seek astute common sense; And, O you [closed-minded, self-confident] fools, understand wisdom [seek the insight and self-discipline that leads to godly living].

“Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things. “For my mouth will utter truth, And wickedness is repulsive and loathsome to my lips. “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness (upright, in right standing with God); There is nothing contrary to truth or perverted (crooked) in them.

“They are all straightforward to him who understands [with an open and willing mind], And right to those who find knowledge and live by it. “Take my instruction rather than [seeking] silver, And take knowledge rather than choicest gold, For wisdom is better than rubies; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

“I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense], And I find knowledge and discretion. “The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the LORD includes the hatred of evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.

“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power and strength are mine. “By me kings reign And rulers decide and decree justice. “By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge and govern rightly. “I love those who love me; And those who seek me early and diligently will find me.

“Riches and honor are with me, Enduring wealth and righteousness (right standing with God). “My fruit is better than gold, even pure gold, And my yield is better than choicest silver. “I, [Wisdom, continuously] walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth and true riches, And that I may fill their treasuries.

~bella

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

[NRSVUE 2tim 3:1-5] 1 Godlessness in the Last Days You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!

What do you think about that?

Verse 5 ("holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power") seems to be gramatically different than the rest of the charges, perhaps indicating that this aspect of their actions is an umbrella that explains the reason for the others.

 

[Delvianna]

In the natural, sheep don’t influence goats. They’re called docile for a reason and if you put them in a pen they’ll stay put.

But goats are a different breed and containing them isn’t enough. You have to reinforce the structure or they’ll climb out. And if you put them with sheep they’ll follow suit.

I didn't know that about the difference, thanks for sharing! That's fascinating!

If we want to avoid the same the bible instructs us to obtain wisdom.

Amen! And he gives it to us freely! James 1:5

What do you think about that?

I think 2PhiloVoid said it beautifully, but I want to add that there's also no discernment either. People follow after a lot of stuff but don't see that the root of their actions or beliefs is filled with bad fruit. So when demons start influencing people, no one tests, no one makes sure that the root is righteous, they think it sounds biblical and then spread the influence. So when I read this bible verse, I think its calling out the root of the problem too within the church, where we often see the above layer that can masquerade as righteousness when it's not. People mistake heresy for wisdom or a "deeper" level that some just don't quite understand. This is why Bella's ending answer is perfect. Obtain wisdom from the Lord so we aren't swayed by deceptive doctrine or practices whether its within the church or outside of it.

 

[RileyG]

[NRSVUE 2tim 3:1-5] 1 Godlessness in the Last Days You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. 2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unfeeling, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the outward form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid them!

What do you think about that?

That sounds like much of humanity! We ALL sin, but we are called to repentance!