Avoid Vexatious People

2 Timothy 3:1-17

1. Understand that the last days will be dangerous times. 
2. People will be selfish and love money. They will be the kind of people who brag and who are proud.  They will slander others, and they will be disobedient to their parents.  They will be ungrateful, unholy, 
3. unloving, contrary, and critical.  They will be without self-control and brutal, and they won’t love what is good. 
4. They will be people who are disloyal, reckless, and conceited.  They will love pleasure instead of loving God. 
5. They will look like they are religious but deny God’s power.  Avoid people like this. 
6. Some will slither into households and control immature women who are burdened with sins and driven by all kinds of desires. 
7. These women are always learning, but they can never arrive at an understanding of the truth.
8. These people oppose the truth in the same way that Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses.  Their minds are corrupt and their faith is counterfeit. 
9. But they won’t get very far.  Their foolishness will become obvious to everyone like those others.
10. But you have paid attention to my teaching, conduct, purpose, faithfulness, patience, love, and endurance. 
11. You have seen me experience physical abuse and ordeals in places such as Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra.  I put up with all sorts of abuse, and the Lord rescued me from it all! 
12. In fact, anyone who wants to live a holy life in Christ Jesus will be harassed. 
13. But evil people and swindlers will grow even worse, as they deceive others while being deceived themselves.
14. But you must continue with the things you have learned and found convincing.  You know who taught you. 
15. Since childhood, you have known the holy scriptures that help you to be wise in a way that leads to salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. 
16. Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character
17. so that the person who belongs to God can be equipped to do everything that is good.

Here in 2 Timothy 3, Paul describes to Timothy the difficult times of the last days.  He is addressing the question of, 'how can a Christian survive and prosper in such an evil age'?  He reminds Timothy of the reliability and profitability of the Scriptures.  Timothy already knew that due to his continual and diligent study of the scriptures.  So should all those who recognise the significance of the times.   But we also need the scriptural counsel burned into our hearts so that we will be able to apply them to endure the wickedness that will abound about.  The apostle foretells the rise of dangerous enemies to the gospel.  He recommends his own example to Timothy, exhorting him to continue in the teachings he had learned from the Holy Scriptures.  

Even when these scriptural passages were being written there would have been perilous times.  On account of persecution from without, still more on account of our own corruptions within.  Men love to gratify their own lusts, more than to please God and do their duty.  When every man is eager for what he can get and anxious to keep what he has, this makes men dangerous to one another. When men do not fear God, they will not regard man.  When children are disobedient to their parents, that makes the times perilous.  Men are unholy and without the fear of God, because of unthankful for the mercies of God.  We abuse God's gifts if we make them the food and fuel of our lusts.  Times are perilous also when parents are without natural affection to children.  And when men have no rule over their own spirits but despise that which is good and to be honoured.  God is to be loved above all.  But a carnal mind, full of enmity against him, prefers anything before him, especially carnal pleasure.  A form of godliness is very different from the power, from such as are found to be hypocrites, real Christians must withdraw.  Such persons have been found within the outward gatherings of so-called People of God, in every place, and at all times. There will also be many artful men and women, who, by pretences and flatteries, creep into the favour and confidence of those who are too easy of belief, ignorant, and fanciful.  

All must be ever learning to know the Lord.   But these follow every new notion, yet never seek the truth as it is in Jesus.  Like the Egyptian magicians, these were men of corrupt minds, prejudiced against the truth, and found to be quite without faith.  Yet though the spirit of error may be let loose for a time, Satan can deceive the nations and those who want to truly serve Yahuwah no further, and no longer, than Yahuwah will permit.