2 Timothy 3:1–9 (ESV)
Godlessness in the Last Days
3 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful,
unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having
the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always
learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But
they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.
It is interesting
that as I read the first verses, I realize that all these personality traits are here today. The reading says to avoid such people… well then, we need to avoid the world. The passions of the world today are corrupt and ungodly. The
Lutheran Study Bible states: “Although Paul writes these words specifically about temptations that attack the pastoral office, they clearly apply to all Christians. Men like Jannes and Jambres allowed themselves to be enticed, and in so doing they disqualified
themselves regarding the faith. God’s baptismal gift of the Holy Spirit creates within us an ongoing desire for repentance and forgiveness. Although we may regularly fall into sin (such falls are easy for all Christians), God calls us to faith again
through His Word, reminding us of the forgiveness and cleansing that are ours in Christ Jesus.”
I pray: Lord, it is exceedingly easy to be deceived
and so fall into sin. Guard me against all temptation. Amen.[1]