The Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error∙

The Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error ∙

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times, some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.

 – 1 Timothy 4:1

2 Timothy 3:1-4  

 1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

In the 21st century, modern-day online media influencers inspire or guide the actions of others by sharing their opinions, expertise, and recommendations via social media.

In the past, one of the major influencers of society is not a person, but a book, the Word of God. The Bible is like an Instruction Manual. Answers to many of life’s most challenging questions can be found in them.

“But many discard the Scriptures for this very reason. How could a just God allow the evil and suffering that is clearly present? How could a loving God hold everyone to the same high standards when the deck seems stacked so heavily against some people’s success?”

“Yet, considering the stakes in this real-life game of life and death, shouldn’t we give the Instruction Manual a chance” (lifehopeandtruth.com)?

In the 21st century, much of the western world has discarded both the Word of God and the God of the Word. Why is this so? The Father has given a terse, blunt answer in the Scriptures through the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 8:47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason, you do not hear them because you are not of God.

Many people on planet Earth have chosen to discard the Father’s Instruction Manual because they do not belong to Him.

REFLECT & PRAY

The game of life is just not fair. The Father never said it would be.

Father encourage me to allow You to be my primary Influencer. Enable me to reject influencers of the enemy. May I complete the tasks my assignments with integrity and endurance.

INSIGHT

Behind what is seen, heard, or read via the various multiple modalities of modern communication, there are two conflicting invisible forces at work. They are powerful “influencers” who inspire, motivate, and guide the actions of others. Evil influencers generate interest in and adopt opinions and viewpoints that lead to destructive actions and violence.

1 John 4:6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

2 Timothy 3:1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days, there will be very difficult times.

The Greek word translated as difficult is chalepos. In the New Testament, chalepos is used only twice. Matthew 8:28 it indicates the vicious ferocity of the two demoniacs from the country of the Gadarenes. 2 Timothy 3:1 describes the Zeitgeist, the character and essence of the age which marks the last days. The days will be so horrendous; they are difficult to endure, troublesome, dangerous, harsh, fierce, and savage.

2 Timothy 3:1-4 “is one of the most terrible pictures in the New Testament of what a godless world would be like, with the terrible qualities of godlessness set out in a ghastly list” (Barclay).

Are invisible evil spiritual influencers working behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for the rise of the Antichrist?

2 Timothy 3:2 For people will love only themselves

The Greek term translated as love only themselves is phílautos from phílos – loving and autos – self. It connotes self-centered love, self-loving, or self-importance. This term could be rendered self-lovers. People will be lovers of themselves, “utterly self-centered” (Phillips). For those who are self-lovers rather than God-lovers, narcissistic egotism becomes the central focus of one’s life. Could this be predictive of narcissistic personality disorder  (NPD) so prevalent within modern society?

The children of the King, on the other hand, have an entirely different orientation. Their priorities are diametrically opposed. They are lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:4).

Children of the King put the Father first. They choose to be lovers of God. The Greek word translated as lovers of God is philotheos. Philotheos from Philos – loving and theos – God. This term could be rendered God-lovers.

This Greek term summarizes the first and greatest commandment articulated by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 22:36-38

 36 Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?

 37 Jesus replied, You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.

 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

Victory belongs to each child of the King. Regardless of how dreadful things appear, the powers of evil are fighting a losing battle. As the Latin proverb says it well, “Magna est veritas et praevalebit” (Great is the truth, and in the end, it will prevail). All that the children of the King have to do is remember the truth they already know and cling to it (Barclay).

During these savage times, sadly, children of the King can follow an entirely different stream of influence. Yet they are not immune to evil influencers.

Who or what is your primary influencer?

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