Dangerous Times (2 Timothy 3)

Will perilous times come in the last days? Should we avoid certain people? Did Paul suffer for preaching the truth? Do some ministers today suffer because they faithfully preach truth? Would they believe that all scripture is God-breathed? Let’s find out in 2 Timothy 3.

Are we in dangerous times? What are some of the causes? What should we do with such people?

But know this: Difficult [perilous, dangerous] times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people! (2 Timothy 3:1-5 HCSB)

Are they like traveling salesmen and the devil in the garden, who would rather talk to the woman of the household because as every door to door salesman knows, she is easier to sell to than the man?

For some of these men go into homes and deceive foolish women who are burdened with sins and swayed by all kinds of desires. These women are always studying but are never able to arrive at a full knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:6-7 ISV)

How was Paul different? Was he just looking for an easy sale?

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Timothy 3:10-11 KJV)

Does persecution come with living a godly life and telling the truth?

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:12-13 LSB)

Did Timothy learn the scriptures from his childhood? If only all of us had such an upbringing! If only as parents we had been more diligent in teaching our children!

You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:14-15 NASB)

How was Moses inspired to record that we teach about God’s guidelines to children?

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 6:7 NIV)

Is all scripture inspired by God? How is it profitable? What kind of work does it equip us for?

Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 WEB)

Will difficult times come in the last days? What are some of the causes? Should we avoid certain people? Did Paul suffer for preaching the truth? Do some ministers today suffer because they faithfully preach truth? Would they believe that all scripture is God-breathed? You decide!