Have you ever stopped to consider what makes times perilous?
Why have there been times throughout the years when the world felt safer than at other times? Why have there been times in the United States when there was more unrest, more crime, and more malcontent?
It would be easy to say that it is driven by the economy. I have said that, but that is not what is at the heart of the issue.
Consider the following verses of scripture.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
I’m a little challenged by some of those inferences myself. Let’s look a little closer.
The first is “lovers of their own selves.” How many folks do you know that are all about themselves? Covetous is next. That would seem to be the heart of the “share the wealth movement.” Most of us know what boasting and pride is. The next, blasphemers, refers to those moving against God. We understand “disobedient to parents,” unthankful, and unholy. The next phrase is “without natural affection.” The commentaries seem to indicate this is in reference to parent’s and their young and vice versa. Consider all the conflicts and incidents we see in the news between parents and children. The list continues with trucebreakers, false accusers, and incontinent. Incontinent means without self control. How many folks do you know that lack self control? The news is full of the most egregious. Then comes fierce followed by “despisers of those that are good.” As we know, Christians have been made fun of for years. Traitors is next on the list. Heady means rash. Highminded means full of pride. “Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God,” is pretty self-explanatory. The last is “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” These are the folks that may attend church, but don’t walk the walk. They might look like it, but they are not really Christians.
In the last days, perilous times shall come. Then the description of what men shall be follows with the list. The advice given? From such turn away.
Darkness in the hearts of men is what brings perilous times. We all are affected by the direction society takes according to how much light exists in the society itself, the percentage of Christians, and how much the Christians walk with God. When the nation walks away from God, we all suffer.
Pray for revival. Pray for salvation to come to the lost. Share Jesus today.
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to understand that as Christians grow silent in their witness because of intimidation, political correctness, or even the false assumption of tolerance, darkness fills the void. Jesus is the light. Where He is not, evil exists. If you don’t like the direction of this country, pray for revival, but also take a more active role in being a witness for our Lord. You will make a difference.