2 Timothy 3:1-17
Paul gives us quite a list of attitudes and behaviors in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 that are not pleasing to God. I didn't see one thing in this list that isn't rampant today. Watch some television, go to the movies, surf the net and you'll find them all. Now I'd love to say that as Christians we no longer have to concern ourselves with these behaviors, but that's just not the case. We aren't immune to any of the sinful things on Paul's list and they can and will creep in and take us out of the game if we're not careful.
So how do we stay a strong "lover of God"? How do we guard against slipping into these ungodly attitudes and behaviors? Tami W.
Stay in the Word - Powered by 4!
I think the way we stay a lover of God and not the things listed in verses 1-5 is to do what Timothy is instructed to do in verse 14..."14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed...". That's the answer Paul gave to Timothy and I suppose that answer should be good enough for all of us. Back to the Bible has done the research of the value of simply reading the Bible four times a week. If any of you have not read that research I highly recommend it. Life experience working with hundreds of people over the past 20 years has shown me the truth in the statement, "Some Bible each day, keeps the devil away". A love for the word of God will greatly help avoid loving the things of this world. I know it sounds too easy, but try it.
I truly believe that we must connect fully with our Living God through Jesus and His Word and the Holy Spirit. On our own it is impossible for us to avoid the pitfalls that Paul speaks of in verses 1-5 but with God all things are possible. I see these attitudes and habits in the lives of too many people in the church today. We have lost our first love and have allowed the world to become too much of an influence in our lives and, consequently, the Church. The Word is not brain food it is heart food and without it we cannot be the people that God created us to be.
By staying in the Word.
I believe that it all comes down to priority and where one individual places GOD in their lives and what there one on one relationship with Him is like,because if you know what is important and how much does the Lord actually means to you than the daily distraction starts to diminish little by little, because you start to commit them to GOD
It is very difficult to not get swept up in all that is going on today.I read my Bible daily and try to do what is right by God but I have to admit I mess up often.I pray to God/Jesus for help in this trying time.
Pray,read,study,apply,pray,read,study,apply.The apply part of course is the most difficult.I like the "avoid" statement used here because that sometimes is the easiest to apply when dealing with certain people.