A Pick & Pull Bible

2 Timothy 3:10-17

INTRODUCTION

Introduction

A pick-and-pull is a type of auto salvage yard where customers remove parts from vehicles themselves. Visitors bring their tools, locate desired parts on-site, and remove them, making it a cost-effective option for car repairs. They pick and pull what they want or think they need. When it comes to the Bible, many people take the same approach.

One of the most pervasive challenges in understanding and applying the Bible is the tendency to pick and pull what to believe and obey. This selective approach often reflects personal preferences, cultural influences, or a desire to avoid discomfort rather than a sincere commitment to God’s Word. Many believers find it easy to embrace teachings that align with their values or lifestyle but are quick to dismiss or reinterpret passages that challenge their preconceived behavior or worldview. This inconsistency undermines the authority of Scripture and leads to a fragmented understanding of God’s will.

For example, some may celebrate God’s promises of love and grace while ignoring His calls for repentance and holiness. Others might emphasize justice and accountability but downplay forgiveness and compassion. Some want to uphold God’s command to love thy neighbor while ignoring the Bible’s sexual ethic. This selective obedience creates a distorted view of God’s character and can weaken the transformative power of His Word in our lives. Jesus Himself warned against such practices, rebuking the Pharisees for upholding traditions while neglecting the weightier matters of the law in Matthew 23.

To approach the Bible with integrity, we must commit to its entirety, understanding it as a unified revelation of God’s truth. While some passages may be difficult or countercultural, they are no less inspiring or relevant. True discipleship requires humility, a willingness to wrestle with challenging texts, and a heart open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Only by submitting to the whole counsel of God can we fully live out the faith to which we are called.

2 Timothy 3:10–17 ESV

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

SCRIPTURAL ANALYSIS

In the previous verses, Paul used a frightening picture to portray Timothy's opposition. Where could anyone find the strength and wisdom to resist and overcome such opposition? Two sources of help were Paul's sterling example (vv. 10–13) and the instruction of Scripture (vv. 14–17).

Verses 10-13

After strongly denouncing the false teachers and their foolishness, Paul turned his attention back to Timothy. Paul wanted Timothy to reminisce a little and recount Paul’s faith, patience, love, endurance, persecution, and suffering. These stand as hallmarks of the Christian life. Faith defines our trust; patience acknowledges God’s sovereignty; love expresses to others the sacrificial grace we receive; endurance keeps our focus on God’s kingdom, while persecutions and sufferings represent our fellowship with Christ.

Timothy shared some of Paul’s difficulties as they traveled together through Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. He had witnessed how Paul lived and the passion with which he taught. He had also witnessed how the Lord rescued Paul. Paul expressed examples of his commitment in order to urge Timothy to take resolute action when persecution came his way.

Persecution may vary in degree and take different forms in different countries and different ages, but the fundamental hostility of the world to the godly man remains unchanged. Christians will suffer because the world is always hostile to the kingdom of God.

Verses 13-14

Paul’s explanation for the certainty of suffering was that evil would grow in intensity. Paul described the false teachers as “evil men” and branded them as religious swindlers or “impostors.” The only progress of these ungodly heretics was in the direction of evil. They succeeded in deceiving others and losing their ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

Paul reminded Timothy of his inspired source of instruction in the Scriptures. Paul knew that Timothy had received instruction in the Scriptures from childhood. Jewish parents usually begin instructing children in the Scriptures when they are five years old. Timothy’s godly background would have assured that he began the study at a proper age and would be properly equipped for what lies ahead.

Verses 16-17

Verses 16–17 are the strongest statement in the Bible about itself. We understand that the word “Scripture” includes the Old and New Testaments since 2 Peter 3:16 cites the writings of Paul among the “Scriptures.”

The Scriptures, affirmed Paul, were inspired by God. A translation closer to the original Greek would be, “All Scripture is God-breathed.” This tells us that God breathed out every word of the Bible. The words of the Bible came from God and were written by men.

The power of the Bible to affect change and demand obedience resides in the fact that all Scripture is God-breathed. The Bible originates with God. Claims of origins carry great significance because authority lives in the Creator. God has repeatedly established that the Bible is His one Word.

Scripture makes a person “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus,” and it has a series of functions—“teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”—that thoroughly prepares one “for every good work.” In other words, the Bible is complete and exactly what man must know.

TODAY’S KET TRUTH

All of The Bible is to Be Believed and Obeyed.

APPLICATION

In turbulent and stressful times, it becomes easy to lose heart, to feel weary and hopeless. Paul, wanting Timothy to refocus, offered Timothy a reflection on his own life of godliness amid persecution. Paul described to Timothy the downward slide of society and mankind, which will proceed with worsening effects in the coming days. Believers must reject all false teachers and their ideas, enduring the difficult days in which they live. Paul referred to Timothy’s heritage and reminded him of the unshakable source of truth for life and holiness—the Scriptures. Scripture stands as the foundation for truth. We must preserve its integrity and submit to its transforming power.

The fact that God inspired the Bible leads us to assert that the Bible is infallible, inerrant, and authoritative. The term “infallible” suggests that the Bible does not mislead. It is a sure, reliable guide and entirely trustworthy in all matters it speaks about. Some try to limit the term “infallible” to spiritual, religious, or redemptive themes, but it is challenging to separate trustworthiness in historical matters from trustworthiness in issues of theology. The Bible is trustworthy in all things to which it speaks. Any biblical errors in the field of history would undermine the reader's confidence in the theological trustworthiness of Scripture. The Bible is a sure, safe guide even for issues that touch on history and related matters of truth.

The term “inerrant” suggests that the Bible is free from all falsehood or mistakes and provides a safeguard for the confidence that Scripture is reliable in all of its assertions. Some use the terms “infallible” and “inerrant” in almost a synonymous sense. Others distinguish between them by linking the term “infallible” more closely with theological truth and “inerrant” more closely with historical truth. Whichever word is used, it conveys that the Bible is free from falsehoods.

The assertion of the authority of Scripture is an outgrowth of an affirmation of inspiration. Christians who hold to the authority of Scripture do so because they feel that the Scripture is truth. They also realize that the authority of Scripture is derived by virtue of its inspiration by God. We who hold to the authority of Scripture turn to the Scripture for statements of our beliefs and practices. The Bible remains the supreme authority for life. It has the power to convict and transform and the authority to correct and discipline.

The Bible is not purely a record of the past—the history of the Jews and then of the church. Instead, every story, every prophecy, every teaching, every admonition, and every command points beyond to the author, God, who came to us in Jesus Christ. God confronts us in the pages of his Word, telling us how much he loves us, how we can become his children, and how we should live to please him.

All of The Bible is to Be Believed and Obeyed.

CONCLUSION

Truth will always be opposed. A spiritual war rages, and those who commit themselves to live obediently to Christ will suffer; often, the persecution will be harsh. God requires spiritual knowledge and godly conduct from those who claim his salvation. The Bible remains the supreme authority for life. It has the power to convict and transform and the authority to correct and discipline.

When I read scripture, I remind myself that thousands of people have died for this book throughout history. (You can't say that about a Tony Robbins book, can you?) Yet, the Bible lives on.

The power of the Bible to affect change and demand obedience resides in the fact that all Scripture is God-breathed. The Bible originates with God. Claims of origins carry great significance because authority lives in the Creator. This is why people invest such Herculean efforts in trying to disprove God as the earth’s Creator and in questioning the authenticity of the Bible. Admitting God’s authorship is accepting his authority over every aspect of life. Paul established the Bible’s claim as God’s authoritative Word over all people by stating that the Scriptures are God-breathed.

All of The Bible is to Be Believed and Obeyed.

Like many of you, it has been my goal to live according to the principles of this book. There have been times when I have failed to live up to that standard, and I regret it every single time.

I have learned a simple truth: when I live according to the teachings of the Bible, my life works. That doesn't mean that my life has always been easy—because sometimes obedience is the hardest path to follow, but when I live according to the principles taught in scripture, I experience the presence and power of God in my life.

(Vs. 16-17) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work

It teaches us what is true. There's a message found in the Bible that is not taught anywhere in the world. It teaches that God loves you, that Jesus died for you, that you can be forgiven, that God's mercy is greater than any sin, and that there is life, power, and healing in the name of Jesus. It teaches that if you give your life to him, you will be filled with the presence of God, and you will experience peace that passes all understanding. It teaches that this world belongs to him, and the future belongs to him, that he is Lord over all creation, and someday, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The Bible teaches us what is true.

It makes us realize what is wrong in our lives. I decided long ago that I would not let the world define my concept of right and wrong. Or anyone, for that matter. Because other people will, on the one hand, try to make you feel guilty for the craziest things and on the other hand, will make excuses for destructive behavior. The world has no clue about right and wrong.

The Bible puts an end to that confusion. It tells us where we're wrong. It convicts us of sin. We can look to it for guidance. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It teaches us to turn our back on sin; it teaches us how to love; it teaches us how to give; it teaches us how to forgive; it teaches how to treat others; it teaches us to raise our children; it teaches us how to walk with Christ. It teaches us to do what is right.

I believe in the Bible because it works. When it says...

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

That verse works! When the Bible says...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

That verse really works! When the Bible says...

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

This verse really works! The most powerful proof for the reliability of the New Testament can be found in the fact that it works. It delivers what it promises.

Regardless of what you were told in college or what you've heard some skeptics say, all of the Bible is reliable, historical, and trustworthy. It tells the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as eyewitnesses told the story. It spread like wildfire throughout the known world because the story was too powerful to be refuted.

The Bible didn't exist because one person, or even a handful of people, decided which books would be in the New Testament.

Thousands of faithful Christians for hundreds of years attested to the authority of these writings. This is a book that many people have given their lives for. Why? Because it works. If you read it, believe it, and apply it to your life, you will never be the same.

All of The Bible is to Be Believed and Obeyed.

When the enemy's voice starts speaking to us, it often targets our hearts and emotions, exploiting our vulnerabilities. He began this tactic with Eve in the Garden of Eden. If you lack a solid understanding of scripture, the enemy's words can seem appealing, logical, and even justified. Without confidence in the authority of God’s Word, you risk becoming enslaved to what feels or sounds right in the moment, making you an easy target for manipulation. The enemy skillfully uses your limited knowledge of scripture, combined with your emotions, desires, and feelings, to lead you toward destruction and away from God.

However, when you have a strong understanding of scripture and unwavering confidence in its truth, you are equipped to counter the enemy's lies. You can declare boldly that, as a child of the King, your steps are ordered, your day belongs to the Creator, and His grace is sufficient. This confidence allows you to take control of the conversation, reminding the enemy—and yourself—of your identity in Christ and the sovereign authority of God. Through this, you stand firm in truth, resist being swayed by deceit, and overcome the enticement and destruction of sin.

All of The Bible is to Be Believed and Obeyed.

The Bible leaves no room for selective belief or obedience when it declares that "all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This powerful passage reminds us that God has inspired every word of Scripture and serves a purpose in shaping us into faithful and effective followers of Christ. To treat the Bible as a buffet, choosing what appeals to us and discarding the rest undermines its authority and stifles its transformative potential.

When we approach Scripture with humility, accepting its totality rather than picking and pulling passages we like, we open ourselves to the full work of God in our lives. Teaching corrects our misconceptions, rebuking addresses areas of sin and disobedience, correction helps us realign with God’s ways, and training equips us to live righteously. These aspects of Scripture provide a comprehensive guide for spiritual growth and maturity.

Selective obedience often reflects a desire to remain comfortable or in control, yet true discipleship demands complete surrender. Jesus calls His followers to take up their cross and follow Him, a path that often requires hard truths for transformative change. By submitting to the entirety of Scripture, we acknowledge that God knows what is best for us and that His Word is a trustworthy foundation for every aspect of life.

In a world that increasingly encourages subjective truth, feelings as the supreme guide, and personal convenience above all else, believers must stand firm in their commitment to God’s Word in its entirety. Only then can we be thoroughly equipped to carry out His work and reflect His character in a way that glorifies Him and brings hope to a broken world.

All of The Bible is to Be Believed and Obeyed.