2 Timothy 3:6-9

2 Timothy 3:6-9 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth — men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

Who are these people who worm their way into homes and gain control over people's lives and minds? They are those who have a form of godliness but deny the power of God to transform lives. They are those who desire wealth or status by preaching the gospel. Some of these men within the church will preach that godliness is a means to financial gain. (1 Timothy 6:5) They point men to the things of this world and the desires of this world as a substitute for true faith in Christ. Sadly, they lead others to love the world and the things in it. Of course, this doctrine adheres very well to man's self-interest and fleshly desires. Many will follow these men, for there isn't a cost to that gospel. There is no dying to flesh, there is no need to lead a life like Paul, Timothy, Peter, Stephen, James or even Christ lived. Those lives all had hardships, troubles and discouragements. However, their lives led to the Promise Land, but those who follow after fleshly, worldly desires, and self-interests lead to this world's corruption, which is definitely a dead end life.

Others, such as the cults, who have a form of godliness, bring up questions and disputes to separate the sheep from the fold. They worm their way into homes of the weak, the discouraged, the confused, asserting they have a better way of following God. They claim that they have a new doctrine, a better revelation, a current exposition that must be heard and believed. The Bible says these people are always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. I am concerned when I hear people say that they have a new revelation for this day. I just don't believe the simplicity of the gospel has been hidden all these years. The "good news" in its totality has been available to people for over two thousand years now, which is that Jesus Christ is Lord, and He alone has purchased our complete redemption by dying on the cross. These cult leaders refuse the simplicity of the gospel for self-centered reasons; they want to be lifted up, even worshipped. The Bible says in the last days there will be many who will claim to be THE CHRIST. They will assert that they are divine, or that they alone are imbued with supernatural knowledge, or that they are in possession of a new revelation from God, a new doctrine. However, Paul says that they are depraved, they are worldly, and they have been rejected by God, for they have rejected the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Eventually, they will be judged harshly by God for denying the Christ, the only Son of God.

As Christians we always should be wary of any doctrine that skews the Word of God AWAY FROM CHRIST. Sometimes because of our fleshly interests and desires, we want the gospel to say something that it doesn't. The gospel is about our redemption by the blood of Christ; it is about how we should live holy lives, set apart to God. And finally, it is about facing the temptations and trials of this world head-on IN CHRIST, for the vicissitudes of life are a part of living a life for Christ. When we try to short circuit any one of those realities by claiming a new gospel, a new set of rules, we are off on the wrong track. Life is hard sometimes. We will face difficulties and trials that will try our souls. But the Bible tells us to endure to the end. It also tells us that we have the Holy Spirit to comfort and to guide us. That is what faith is about, to endure, to fulfill the covenant that God has brought to us. A covenant is a forever statement, an eternal agreement by two sides. God's side: I will redeem you, take you as my own, you will be my sons and daughters; man's side: I will commit my life to you and to your will through faith in Jesus Christ. This covenant on both sides is sealed with the words: I WILL! Through this eternal faith covenant, we find power, hope, peace, and all that we need to overcome the pressures of this life. And we look joyfully towards the city whose builder and maker is God.