2 Timothy 3 - What Does Good Parenting Look Like?

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3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Though Paul doesn't necessarily know when the last days will be any more than we do, he knows those times will be "terrible". He gives a laundy list of sinful behaviors, which all are a result of living according to our sinful nature and not in the power of the Holy Spirit. Most importantly he says, "These people have a form of godliness but deny its power." 

What does he mean by that? A form of godliness may be the appearance of godliness, which is really not godliness at all. If people are exhibing the aforementioned behaviors, they are anything but godly. They lack godliness, because they have denied the power God has given us to be godly. And they lack the discipline as well. Paul had just told Timothy to "train to be godly", meaning it doesn't happen by accident. And in 1 Timothy 6:6 he said, "Godliness with contentment is great gain." 

We don’t need to be encouraged to love ourselves; we naturally have such a love. Neither should we be taught to hate ourselves. - Guzik

In our self-obsessed world, people feel very free to have a “salad bar” religion – they pick and choose what they want. They feel free to be very “spiritual,” but sense no obligation to be Biblical. - Guzik

6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Paul tells Timothy to stay clear of these people. We hear the adage, "Bad company corrupts good morals." The same is true for a Christian. If we hang out all the time with those who are acting as Paul describes, we might be tempted to join along. I am not saying we should never hang out with these types of people, but at the same time we need to remember that we strive to influence them not visa versa. 

These people may be knowledgeable. but they don't come to a knowledge of truth. Most importantly don't realize their need for a Savior.  They don't know God, because they don't know Christ, or possess His Spirit. Paul gives the example of Jannes and Jambres, who opposed Moses when he did signs to show He was a prophet from God. 

Even as Jannes and Jambres were eventually put to shame (though for a while they matched Moses “miracle for miracle”) and were eventually compelled to give reluctant glory to God, so also will the evil men of the last days. Even as Jannes and Jambres’ power had limits, so does Satan’s power, even in the last days – God is still in control.

Some of these false prophets and magicians may have some success in luring people to their antics, but eventually their charade will be exposed. 

A Final Charge to Timothy

10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

To the contrary Paul's life and teaching were clear to Timothy, though sometimes he was criticized by those who wanted to oppose him. Paul's faith was especially tested when he faced persecution because of his preaching of the gospel. He was whipped, beaten, and left for dead. He was constantly being hunted down. 

- At Antioch, where Paul was kicked out of the city for preaching the gospel (Acts 13:50).

· At Iconium, where Paul was almost executed by stoning (Acts 14:5).

· At Lystra, where they actually did stone Paul and leave him for dead (Acts 14:19).

Paul concludes by encouraging Timothy to continue in the faith that was given to him. Unlike these false teachers, Timothy knew his own teachers and watched them live out their faith.  Paul was Timothy's primary discipler. What did Paul's discipling of Timothy consist of?

· Paul led him to Christ.

· Paul gave him ministry opportunity

· Paul taught him by both word and example.

· Paul laid hands on him in ordination.

· Paul guided and mentored him in the midst of ministry.

The model of Paul and Timothy should be the model for every Christian leader who trains someone in ministry. We should all be mentored, while mentoring someone else. While none of us are perfect, even in our shortcomings we can teach others about the grace of God. If perfection was the standard for spiritual leadership, no one would qualified. 

In fact, some of the most humble leaders learn from their mistakes and it makes them even stronger in God's grace. We are servant leaders. We are not called to leadership to call attention to ourselves, or lord it over others. We lead like Jesus did! And for Jesus, "Leadership begins with a towel"! 

Finally, Paul points to the role of Scripture in keeping Timothy on the path of truth. The more he knew the truth, the more he could spot error. Notice as well that he learned it from "infancy". He was probably a "third generation" Christian, as in another passage it tells us that his grandmother Lois, and his mother Eunice taught him the faith. 

By using the word "scriptures", Paul is referring to the Old Testament scriptures. This reminds us that Timothy's family was Jewish. By understanding the Old Testament, they were more likely to be receptive to Jesus as the Messiah. What a great model of faith being taught in the home. It is still the most effective way to pass on the faith to the next generation. 

My hope and prayer is always that the Daily Bread would help you to know the truth and to continue to live in the truth. As you are aware the church and the truth is under assault just about everywhere in our culture today. God's Word is like no other book. It is different. Paul reminds Timothy it is "God breathed", which also means "God inspired". The bible is completely inspired by God through human authors, which means it is completely trustworthy and accurate in everything it purports to be and do. Most importantly, these are the scriptures that tell the story of God's plan for the salvation of the whole world. It tells the story of setting apart His chosen people to bring in the Messiah through Abraham and Moses and David. 

You can bet your life on the teaching of the bible, which leads you to Christ. Importantly Jesus was the "Word made flesh". Meaning if we look at Jesus' life, we will always see it is completely in alignment with the bible. We don't follow the bible per se, we follow the precepts of the bible. More importantly we follow Jesus, who fulfilled God's Word. The bible is useful for training in righteousness and every good work God has purposed in us through Christ! Let's make sure to stay in God's Word!