2 Timothy 3:1-5 warns that in the last days, people will display moral and spiritual corruption, appearing godly outwardly but lacking true godly power, and believers are instructed to avoid such individuals.

Context and Overview

In this passage, the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy to prepare him for the challenges of the “last days,” a period marked by moral and spiritual decline. Paul emphasizes that difficult times will come, not necessarily due to external calamities, but because of the wickedness and depravity of people. The passage serves as both a warning and guidance for believers to remain steadfast in faith despite societal corruption.

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Characteristics of People in the Last Days

Paul lists a series of traits that describe people during these perilous times:

• Self-centeredness and materialism: lovers of self and lovers of money. 1
• Pride and arrogance: boastful, swollen with conceit, and haughty. 1
• Relational and moral failings: disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, brutal, treacherous, reckless. 2
• These traits illustrate a society where selfish desires, greed, and indulgence take precedence over compassion, humility, and devotion to God.Spiritual deception: lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness but denying its power. 2
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“Having a Form of Godliness but Denying Its Power”

Verse 5 highlights a critical spiritual warning: some people may outwardly appear religious, performing rituals or claiming to follow God, yet their lives show no evidence of true transformation. This “form of godliness” is superficial, lacking the power of the Holy Spirit to produce genuine godly behavior. Paul instructs believers to avoid such people, as their influence can be destructive and misleading.

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Practical Implications for Believers

• Discernment is essential: Recognize the difference between outward religiosity and true godly living. 1
• Perseverance in faith: Remain steadfast in God’s truth despite societal pressures or moral decline. 1
• In summary, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 serves as a sobering reminder that the last days will be marked by widespread moral decay and spiritual deception. Believers are called to remain vigilant, avoid those who are superficially religious but spiritually empty, and cultivate authentic godliness in their own lives.Cultivate genuine godliness: Focus on humility, generosity, and obedience to God rather than mere appearances. 1

My Born Again Story by Timothy Stolz March 2019

I’m up early getting ready to go to work. I’m a painting contractor, 31 years in business same small mountain town.

As I finished getting dressed, I felt something unusual, something different, I remember later I could not put my finger on it.

As I walk out of my bedroom, through the dining room, I see a thank you note sitting on the very corner of a large table, closets to where I’m about to walk past. It had somehow traveled from my office downtown to my house about 4 years earlier. I moved it when I dusted but never put the card black at the corner of my table.

As I walked by the table and past that Thankyou card, I reached out, touched it with my finger snd sisd to myself, fully believing I could do this….in my head I said “I wish I could send this card to you God, someone is praying for me over my hurt back, and I have had no one to pray for me in well over 15 years”.

Suddenly, I was thrown to my knees. I felt an intense warming of my whole body. I began to shake, to vibrate. Realizing I was receiving a Holy Spirit visit, I put my hands into the air and cried out “Thank you Jesus, Thank you!” over and over again.

The shaking get more intense. I felt like falling over. Tears of joy clouded my vision. This lasted about 17 – 18 second.

Background is important.

I had fallen and hurt my back. I had three physical therapy sessions with Paula Hale. This was now after that third session. At the end of the first session Paula asked if she could pray for me. Of course I said YES!

Background again. It’s important as a past prayer experience that worked

12 years earlier I was on my back in the Emergency Roon here in Estes Park, Colorado. I had been drinking burdon and beer steady for three days trying to get some sleep from a different back injury. This was 2007.

My BAC was .465 over five times the legal limit. My eyes were beginning to lose sight as black holes were developing in my vision. The doctor said if I had waited 20 more minutes to come to the ER, he may not have been able to save me. Well, that got my attention! Hello yes, if I was about to die, pray all you want!

He and a nurse bent over me, laid their hands on me and prayed that I would stop drinking.

I went home that afternoon, threw out all my liquor, and began to wonder what in the world was I DOING ALMOST DYING?

That day became my first day sober. I had withdrawals for three days, they were gone!

So, I remembered these prayers when Paula asked me if she could pray for me.

My touching that card and sending it to God with my thankyou that someone (Paula) was praying for me again.

Then BANG! A Born Again experience I will always cherish!

Get yours today!