FBC Daily Devotions

THE WEAK FRINGE

Read 2 Timothy 3:6-7. 

In today’s passage we learn that the problems listed by Paul were also present in the early church. Some were visiting vulnerable women and taking advantage of their situation. These false teachers would “worm their way” into their homes, meaning they were treacherous and deceptive in their dealings. One commentator has noted that these false teachers had gained complete psychological dominance over their victims. (Lea, New American Commentary)

The victims themselves were weak-willed women who were apparently open to any way out of their situation (i.e. “always learning”). Loaded down with guilt, they may have sought relief from anyone who would listen. Perhaps in their weakened state, they were easily tempted into immorality (i.e. “swayed by all kinds of evil desires”). It is no wonder they were unable to acknowledge or discern truth from deception – their frail condition left them open to anything and everything.

What does this say to us – those who fall into the category of solid teaching with good motivations? First, it says there are those who will vie for people on the weak fringes – those who are desperate for attention and answers. For the right price, some false teachers will sweep in and tell distressed people what they want to hear. It is a sad thing to see this done under the banner of Christ. I look at some “Christian” television programs, and I wonder if there is any concern for eternity when miracles and money are hyped to an emotionally frenzied congregation. Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying God doesn’t perform miracles or that money isn’t useful for the Kingdom, but it is sometimes touted as the thing that life is all about.  The abundant life of an intimate, inner relationship with Christ is in competition with the abundant material life that false teachers are preaching. Our challenge is to reach the weakened fringe with the true gospel of eternal life.

(Though strong, it is very powerful –  check out this short video:

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Somewhere there sits a woman at home with her children. Every day, all day she sits with her children longing for adult conversation or a listening ear. What can the children offer? Not much really in this regard. As the days and weeks and months go by, the once dull pain of longings begins to grow sharper. She is tired. She is available and willing for someone. Anyone. And then one day there is a knock at the door. It is a friendly face offering a listening ear and some answers to life’s longings. Her company makes the presentation all the more attractive. By the end of the conversation, she is invited back. Before long, they are having a Bible study, and her life seems to be back on the right track. But is it?

This is not an uncommon story (I know a woman who had a very similar experience.). This is not a woman loaded down by sin or easily tempted by evil desires. These are not friendly faces with a mind to deceive or a motivation for money. These are people who represent what we in Christian circles call cults. They sound true, but they twist the very foundations of Christian belief. Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons are among those who benefit from people on the weakened fringes. Why mention these? Today, we compete with many other well-intentioned groups to help those who are weak. There are those promising health and wealth, those who offer deeper answers taking a form of Christianity. In our churches there sit those who are searching for the answers, and who are vulnerable to “alternatives.”  The challenge for us is to protect those who are weak and susceptible in our Family from the deception of false teaching. It will mean walking out to the periphery of our worlds and getting into their lives. Admittedly, not an easy challenge…

Paul points out to Timothy that the challenges of leadership are going to include dealing with these kinds of situations. The task of bringing back into the fold those who have been led astray by false notions is a difficult one. As we will see in coming weeks, this will be one of the reasons Paul commands Timothy to take action and preach the word (ch. 4). It is better to get it right the first time rather than correcting the mistakes of false teachers.

To consider: Who are the weak and susceptible ones in our church Family? Is there anything you can do to help?

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Questions for Home Groups

1) Do you know anyone who fell prey to the deception of false and misleading teachers? Where are they today?

2) What are some practical ways to reach across to the weak and susceptible in our church Family? How can we protect them from one whim after another?

THE TRAGIC TURN INWARD

Read 2 Timothy 3:2-5.

For these “last days” (v. 1), it is not natural disaster nor the Antichrist that is highlighted, but rather the utter loss of the civility of man as he spirals ever inward toward self-centered, self-absorbed behavior. The list of character qualities is discouraging:

This is one long list! Based on later verses, it is clear these qualities existed back in Paul’s day and would only get worse.  And if you believe “last days” (v. 1) means the time just prior to Christ’s return, then you can expect a significant and notable downturn in the character of man as His return draws near. Regardless, these qualities exist today, and they are the things Paul says will make Timothy’s work all the more difficult. What makes this most discouraging, though, is that these character qualities, in the context of this letter, seem to say they will exist within the church. The infiltration of self-centered philosophy and goals – and every bad product of these – will work against God’s purpose for the church.

Now we could examine the church for these flaws, and we would undoubtedly find some form of every one of these qualities in the church both universally and locally. And may I say as a pastor that dealing with the day to day struggles of sincere, godly people – people who may have a difference of opinion on matters of the church, people struggling with sin (who desire to get right with God), and people who face physical and emotional challenges – we want to come alongside and minister. But when a church body begins to assimilate these terrible qualities, the load on a pastor (and really everyone) can increase to the point of breaking. Struggling relationships make every decision, every action, and every word more difficult. Walking on eggshells comes to mind, but perhaps walking on broken glass is a better description. Thankfully, while we are flawed, we have not come to this at FBC.

Examining the church, however, is not the answer to the problem. The answer lies in each person examining his or her-self for these vices. A collective concern may be helpful, but in the end, each of us must be cautious of these in our own lives. The list is long, but even as I read through it, several areas jump out. The same may be true for you.

To consider: Looking at the list of vices, how are you doing? Which ones jump out at you? It would be easy to look at this list and become discouraged at your maturity (or lack thereof). But be encouraged! I would suggest that the closer your walk is with God, the more sensitive you will be to these vices in your life. The real tragedy is the failure to recognize any at all. Therefore, the issue is not whether one struggles in certain areas, but what one does about it. Looking at your struggles, ask yourself: Why do I struggle in this area? What will I do about it?

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Questions for Home Groups

1) Looking at the list of character qualities in this passage, most, if not all, are rooted in self-centeredness or selfishness. Discuss how we can be stronger lovers of God and people rather than lovers of self. (Consider, for example, are there times when you are more vulnerable to self-centeredness?)

2) While this is a long list, look at each one briefly and give examples of what these characteristics might look like in real life. (Consider breaking into cluster groups with each tackling a portion of the list, and then coming back together to share your thoughts.)

3) If your group feels comfortable enough, share a few areas where you struggle. What can be done to help you grow in these areas?

4) The verse ends with the statement, “pursue… along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” How can the group help one another in any of the problem areas discussed?

IN THE LAST DAYS

Read 2 Timothy 3:1.

Having discussed how to handle difficult people within the church body (whether true believers or not), Paul proceeds to paint a landscape of the difficult times that lie ahead for Timothy and those living in the “last days”[1]. In other words, if Timothy thought it was bad now, just wait. As one commentator has noted, “Opposition to the truth would grow even more intense.” (Lea) The phrase “difficult times” (NAS) or “terrible times” (NIV) literally means “hard to take” or “hard to bear”. These would be times requiring much perseverance, endurance, and strength as the truth would come under severe attack.

I would like to suggest that we live in times that are “hard to bear” when the truth seems to be under attack from many different directions. “Tolerance” is a byword of our culture and anything or anyone who claims to have a lock on the truth invites persecution and ridicule. Pope Benedict XVI (despite what one feels about Catholicism) stated at a youth rally last year:

“Some today argue that respect for freedom of the individual makes it wrong to seek truth, including the truth about what is good. In some circles to speak of truth is seen as controversial or divisive, and consequently best kept in the private sphere. And in truth’s place — or better said its absence — an idea has spread which, in giving value to everything indiscriminately, claims to assure freedom and to liberate conscience. This we call relativism. But what purpose has a “freedom” which, in disregarding truth, pursues what is false or wrong? How many young people have been offered a hand which in the name of freedom or experience has led them to addiction, to moral or intellectual confusion, to hurt, to a loss of self-respect, even to despair and so tragically and sadly to the taking of their own life?”

Indeed, the dilution of truth or even worse, the non-existence of truth, only leads to an “anything goes” mentality which leads many down a path of misery. And as the pressures of life increase, so also the attraction of “spiritual gurus” attempting to provide what only Christ can. There are “get rich quick” schemes and “miracles on demand” (for a price). They are all too often found within the corridors of Christianity. As we will see in the coming days, these only add to the problem.

How do we remain steadfast in these difficult times? It will be interesting to see how Paul encourages Timothy in the coming weeks as we move further into the letter. For today it is enough to be reminded that we must never let down our guard when it comes to the truth in God’s word. On the whole, times are not going to get better until the day Christ returns. Until that time, we must be very careful to avoid the slippery slope of relativism under the guise of tolerance and acceptance. We must know what we believe and stand firm.

To consider: Do you know what you believe? If not, how will you make a change in this area?

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Home Group Questions

1) What are some different ways people determine or define “truth”? How do you determine what is truth?

2) In your long or short lifetime, have you seen truth becoming more and more difficult to define? If so, how?

3) How have you felt the difficulty that Paul warned of?

4) How, if at all, have you seen truth diluted to the point that no one can know for sure?

[1] The “last days” referred to here may either mean the entire time from the completion of Christ’s redemptive work until his return (cf. Heb. 1:1-2; Acts 2:16-39), or it may mean the last days of this age before the Second Coming of Christ (Matt. 24:3-28; Mk. 13:5-23; 2Thes. 2:3-4, 8-11). The purpose here is not to speculate on the matter, but rather understand that whichever view one holds, times will be perilous ahead. Whether there will be outbreaks of moral decline in history or a progressive worsening of civility as the end approaches, the thrust of Paul’s message is this: “mark this” (NIV), “realize this” (NAS) – terrible times are ahead.

What are some truths you learned from Sunday’s message? How can it make a difference this week?

Looking back over the week, what things has God especially impressed upon you? How has God’s Word affected your life this week?