False Teachers in the Last Days

Last Days(3:1)

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.” (2 Timothy 3:1, ESV)

In the last days there will be times that are hard to deal with.

When are the last days?

While there is much debate amongst people in Christendom, the biblical evidence indicates that we are currently in the last days.

“but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” (Hebrews 1:2, ESV)

“Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour.” (1 John 2:18, ESV)

Why will the last days be difficult?

The last days will be difficult because of the reality of false teachers.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,” (1 Timothy 4:1, ESV)

Characteristics of False Teachers (3:2-5)

“For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:2–5, ESV)

A false teacher is anyone who teaches anything that is untrue.

False teachers love themselves to the exclusion of others.

False teachers love money.

False teachers love pleasure.

False teachers do not love God.

False teachers appear to be christians.

False teachers deny the gospel with their lives.

Dangers of False Teachers. (2 Tim 3:6-7)

“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.” (2 Timothy 3:6–7, ESV)

False Teachers slip in and take advantage of those who are morally weak, emotionally unstable, and forever dabbling with religious novelties.

Paul’s point is not that all women are spiritually weak, but that false teachers have often successfully deceived the women in Ephesus.

False teachers slip in into households.

False Teachers take captive of those...

who are easily deceived.

prone to temptation.

overwhelmed by the weight of their sin.

dominated by sinful curiosity.

with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

lacking discernment.

Those deceived by false teachers lack the discernment needed to acknowledge the truth.

Truth about False Teachers (2 Tim 3:8-9)

“Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.” (2 Timothy 3:8–9, ESV)

Jannes and Jambres are Listed together by Paul in vv 8-9 as having opposed Moses. They are most likely the Egyptian magicians who imitated the miracles performed by Moses in the presence of Pharaoh.

“Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said.” (Exodus 7:11–13, ESV)

False Teachers oppose the truth of the scriptures.

False Teachers have a corrupt mind.

False Teachers have rejected the faith by their actions.

False Teachers are worthless .

Handling False Teachers (2 Tim 3:5b)

“Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:5, ESV)

False Teachers are dangerous. They often appear to be Christian. However, their foolishness is made known by their love of self, money and pleasure, rather than their love for God. The Bible commands us to, “Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-9)

The word translated as avoid means to avoid and stay away from deliberately; conceived of as turning oneself away from something.

““Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15, ESV)

““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21–23, ESV)

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.” (1 Timothy 6:20–21, ESV)

“This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.” (Titus 1:13–14, ESV)

Questions For Reflection

When are the last days?

How can you identify False Teachers?

Why are False Teachers and their Teachings dangerous?

What are some ways you can avoid False Teachers and their Teachings?

How does this passage confirm and challenge your understanding of reality?