Paul finishes his second letter to Timothy with a warning and instructions, I wonder when Paul wrote this letter to Timothy this warning “³ For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, ⁴ and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” [ESV] would be critical warning for today’s church? There are numerous false preachers who are preaching false truths, purposely misinterpreting Scripture, unfortunately there are those who want to believe these false teachings as it allows them to carry on living their lives how they want. As C S Lewis said ‘there are those who want to be the lord of their lives’ (paraphrased).

Because there are false teachings being spoken both in the physical world and online, it’s important that we are ‘well read’ and know Scripture in order for us not to believe the false teachings / posts. Thinking about this reminds me of the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:1-23, and the seed that falls on the path withers and dies because the roots don’t go deep enough. This is why in my opinion it’s vitally important for all followers of Christ to study their Bibles and where possible have a ‘Bible buddy’, someone who will check that they are spending time in Scripture. Jude warns his readers at the end of his epistle “¹⁷ But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” ¹⁹ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.” [ESV]

When Paul tells Timothy to be ‘sober minded’ he’s not saying Timothy is not to drink alcohol but he is to be in self-control in all situations. And in verses 7 & 8 Paul is in effect passing the proverbial batten onto TImothy, who is to continue what Paul has started.

Towards the end of his letter Paul is letting Timothy know of his discomfort and he’s had to endure recently, it’s a reminder to us also that there will be times we will have to endure persecution, discomfort for our faith.

This week try and reflect on your personal Bible studying pattern, and how can you improve it? is there someone who you could ask to be your Bible Buddy?

All Bible quotes and links were taken from http://www.biblegateway.com