BUT YOU
2 Timothy 3:13-17 NKJV
13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In Paul's last letter to Timothy, he shares some of the things that will be taking place on the earth. The first three verses of this third chapter are a sad laundry list of the human condition in the days we are living.
In verse 13, Paul reiterates the fact that evil men and imposters are growing worse, deceiving and being deceived. And then Paul tells Timothy what he must do. His instructions are not to be afraid, hunker down, head for the hills, or in any way withdraw from life. Instead, even though evil men are getting worse, you, Timothy, are to stay with what you have been taught. So, instead of reacting to the growing evil and deception, just stay with what you have learned. Paul reminded Timothy that he knew the people who had taught him. Paul was one of those who had mentored Timothy.
Then Paul directs Timothy to the Scriptures. Timothy was raised in a godly home and had been taught the Scriptures from early childhood. The Scriptures had the ability to give wisdom that would produce salvation even in these evil times. The Scriptures would lead to faith in Christ Jesus, who had conquered Satan and all his evil forces. The scriptures would put Timothy on the path to salvation, not the path to fear and uncertainty.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable. Paul had already warned Timothy earlier to stay away from the things that were not profitable. These were the profane, godless, empty chatter that would lead to more ungodliness. But the Scriptures were profitable. The Scriptures provided teaching, correction, and instruction in living right before God. The margin of my Bible says the Scriptures provide training and discipline in righteousness.
The Scriptures would provide what Timothy needed to be mature and ready for every good work. Things are not getting better for you, Timothy, but you stay with what you have been taught and stay with the Scriptures.
APPLICATION
As always, the Bible has timeless counsel. We can see evil men and imposters growing worse and worse today. We can see deception reaching unprecedented levels. With all that we see, how do we respond?
Lashing out in anger at an evil world is not a solution. For one, it doesn't effectively stop evil. And it brings us to a lower level. The counsel Paul gave Timothy is still the best for us today. Evil is growing, but you have a plan.
Continue practicing what you have been taught, especially if it is sound biblical teaching and you have a knowledge of who is teaching. Score one for good local churches where you can know the lives of those who are teaching you.
And continue in the Scriptures. Avoid getting so caught up in the evil that the bad news becomes the loop that feeds you more than the life that is in God's Word. The news is not making me wise for salvation, nor is it producing faith in me. When evil grows worse, we have to rise above it, and thankfully, God has given us His supernatural tools to do just that.
PRAYER
Thank You, Father, for what You have taught me. Thank You for the Holy Scriptures that feed and strengthen me. Thank You for the salvation that is in Christ Jesus!