“Warning – Warning – Warning”

⁴ No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. -2 Timothy 2:4 

 

There appear to be as many various biblical teachings today as there are verses in the Bible. Turn on the TV or radio and you may hear five teachers teaching from the same passage but from five extremely different interpretations.
Many teach the “Health and Wealth-Prosperity” doctrine. It appears that many listen and hang onto every word. But is this doctrine really scriptural?

Today’s passages are all found in the book of II Timothy. Paul is giving counsel to Timothy who is a young pastor. Paul is giving him what he believes are his last instructions before his death. He is “laying it on the line” so to speak. Although Paul is instructing Timothy in his preaching and ministry, it would do us good to see what Paul instructs a young pastor to teach. We can hold our pastor (or those we listen to on TV/radio) to this standard to see if the are teaching truth.

 ¹ But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! ⁶ For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.             -2 Timothy 3:1-7

Is this not what we see happening today? Each of us will one day stand before God and give an account of what we did. That will include our time and effort in our worship and our daily dealings as well as what we desired in return. Do we choose our teachers based on what they promise us? (health and wealth in this life) Our passion should not be “ME” focused, but rather “what does God desire of me, regardless of the cost.”

  
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. -2 Timothy 3:10-13 

Did Paul say “ALL” who seek to live Godly lives will suffer?

¹² Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

We best heed this warning. I am in no way suggesting that it is not worth it. I can testify to the fact that it is. What I am trying to show is that if a preacher/teacher tells you any other thing, he is not preaching truth. Obviously, following Christ is not about a miserable existence; it is about accepting God’s truth and experiencing a blessed life, despite the sufferings in this world.

 ¹ I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: ² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5

² Preach the word! I think that is pretty clear.

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

Jim Elliot