Day 17 | Biblical – Definition

Read 2 Timothy 3

Today’s passage warns that the world will grow progressively more evil and people will become increasingly corrupt during the period between Christ’s ascension and His return (“the last days”). We’re told that it will become more and more difficult to live for Christ. Where will evil manifest itself in the last days? In people, as verse 2 states. Sinful people who live corrupt lives will create difficult times, and some of these people will even pose as Christian teachers and lead others astray. Distorted love will characterize our society. People will be “lovers of self, lovers of money… not loving good… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:2–4, ESV). There will be evil people and imposters who are deceived and will seek to deceive others (see 2 Timothy 3:13).

How can we be protected from the deception, distorted love, and evil of the last days? By the Bible–the Word of God. Every one of us is susceptible to deception unless we obey and become firmly grounded in Scripture. Scripture is not just a good book of suggestions for how to improve our lives, it is actually “breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV).

But it’s not enough to just believe in the authority of Scripture. We must allow Scripture to shape our lives. The Scriptures are profitable for teaching—showing us what to believe, how to think, and how to live our lives. The Scriptures are also profitable for reproof and correction, they confront us when we’re living ungodly lives or have false beliefs. God intends for His people, the Church, to be “train[ed] in righteousness” by the Bible so we “may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, ESV). That is why the Church must be biblical—with the Bible as our ultimate authority for how to live out the Christian life.

Pray for God to give you wisdom as you apply His Word to your life.