Beware of Deceivers. 2 Timothy 3:5-7.
Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
Dear People Belonging to God,
The warning against the rebellious continues in this section as we see some of their destructive habits. Timothy is advised to avoid such people.
Personal Lie (v. 5). From the outside, the deceivers may look like genuine believers. They hold to some outward appearance of godliness. However, they deny the power of that godliness. The power of godliness is transformation, which means that they are not themselves transformed. In a word, they are hypocrites. There is no benefit in associating with such people. Timothy is advised to avoid them and we would be wise to follow the same advice.
Predatory Leeches (v. 6). The deceivers seem to have specialized in taking advantage of “weak women.” The weakness is spiritual because it is said here that they are “burdened with sins.” But it also could mean that the woman had a “weak spot” for the preachers. Often, one’s weakness is the flip side of one’s strength. Women are compassionate and generally more receptive. This makes them more vulnerable to deceivers. The story of a woman giving the family car (that was still on loan) to the pastor comes to mind.
Perpetual Learners (v. 7). The women were in a state of perpetual learning – receiving instruction but remaining ignorant and never actually coming to the “knowledge of the truth.” This is the kind of enslavement that the deceivers thrive on. As long as people are ignorant, they remain in need of a teacher and the deceiver will gladly oblige. It is time to do a rain check. Have we fallen victim to some deceiver?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.