Deceptive Times

We are all at risk of being deceived from following Jesus.  Even more so if we are prideful.  This is nothing new.  God promises that the world is going to get worse.  

"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanders, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power.  And from such people turn away!"  -2 Timothy 3:1-5

The last times that Paul is talking about are any days after Jesus.  So, we are in the last times right now.  What is amazing, yet expected, is how many of these things are alive in the Church right now.  Unbelievably, Paul cautions Timothy (a young pastor) to avoid people like this.  Let me clarify, we aren't cautioned to avoid people like this in the world that we are to influence, but, instead, we are cautioned to avoid people in the Church like this. 

If you read on, Paul mentions that people will be "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7).  This seems so evident in our culture.  We have access to a ton of knowledge, but it doesn't seem to affect the way that we live.  

"And Jesus answered and said unto them, 'Take heed that no man deceives you'" (Matthew 24:4).  

Measure everything against God's Word and be careful that no one decieves you...