Steering Clear of Godless Talk. 2 Timothy 2:16-18.
Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, Who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
Dear Holy Nation,
The danger of careless, godless talk is ever with us. Some people seem to thrive on talk that twists the truth.
Danger to Self (v. 16). Those who engage in godless chatter will not escape unscathed. Not only will the chatter damage them spiritually, but it will also keep getting worse and worse. To dabble in the misleading interpretation of scripture is to trap oneself in a downward spiral that spins ever faster towards doom.
The danger of Spreading (v. 17). The effect of the godless chatter will be like that of gangrene. Gangrene often starts as a small wound. If it is not treated, it gets bigger, causes rot that results in amputation of the affected limb or if that is not done in time, the person may die. The sooner one stops the spread, the better.
Danger to Society (v. 18). Godless chatter ends up ruining the faith of some. There will always be people who cannot control their curiosity. The specific lie at the time of Paul was that the resurrection had already taken place. That would obviously confuse the hearers and ruin the faith of those who have not been well instructed. False teachers will have to answer for all the people they mislead.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.