English
Scripture Summary
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV
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.
Reflection on the Scripture:
To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, patients are isolated. However, when isolation is no longer feasible, people are warned to stay away. Similarly, to prevent repeat offenses by individuals with a history of sexual assault, their names are made public to alert neighbors. In the spiritual realm, Satan is like a deadly “contagion,” evident through the behaviors he inspires. Paul lists such behaviors, which are fundamentally self-centered: arrogance, pride, selfishness, and shameless indulgence, often exploiting even one’s own parents. A common example is those who “love pleasure rather than God.” They show no interest in God and often justify their actions with distorted reasoning. While this may seem shocking, it is becoming increasingly common in these rebellious last days—even within our immediate circles. Paul urges believers to stay away from such individuals to avoid being “infected.” In this age of advanced media, we must be especially cautious about what we consume, as we can easily be deceived without realizing it, allowing our hearts to be captivated and controlled by the world. The apostle John warns:
"For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world." (1 John 2:16) Those deceived lose the eternal blessings from God, a deeply tragic and terrifying outcome. Even more dangerous are those controlled by Satan who outwardly appear godly but lack true godliness. Like weeds among the wheat, their hypocrisy can mislead others about the power of Jesus’ complete redemption. Such actions invite curses. Thus, Paul prays for believers to have discernment (Philippians 1:10). Who are the people around you? How are they influencing you? How do you influence those around you? Who are the individuals you need to distance yourself from? Do you regularly commune with the Lord Jesus Christ?
Response through Hymn:
What a friend we have in Jesus
https://youtu.be/8SCorW9r_Is?si=oxxe1VA3Qz6pT8HQ
主祷文
今要主自己
I would rather have Jesus