Spiritual Defense and Offense

Recap

Paul’s last epistle

Paul is abandoned because people are ashamed of him.

don’t be ashamed of the gospel

trust in the promises of God

Called to be loyal to the point of death

Chapter 2 - Steadfast

resilient in the face of adversity

discipline

endurance

discernment

morality

The word of God is not chained but was prevents its spread is our lack of steadfastness to maintain our integrity

QUESTION: What are spiritual defenses? Which ones do you personally employ?

Deception of this world (Defense)

2 Timothy 3:1–3 NKJV

1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,

2 Timothy 3:4–5 NKJV

4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

This world is becoming more and more deceptive.

ex. greater courses…History of the Bible…Bart Erdman

Only at the end of my studies did I realize that he was/is in opposition to the credibility of the Bible

Internet/Social media has given every one a platform. Motives are concealed behind what is posted.

Who can be trusted?

QUESTION: How much time do you spend vetting the credibility of sources you refer to?

On what basis do you deem something/someone credible?

Criteria for Patristic father

Orthodox Theology

Holiness of life

Patristic Contribution

Antiquity (< 7/8th Century)

Integrity is a key part to being trustworthy. Is there congruence between what is internal and visibly external.

When there is a fracture of integrity our defenses should be up because

2 Timothy 3:6–9 NKJV

6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Paul is not referring to women in general but to a certain demographic of individuals who were susceptible to these scam artists of their day. These deceptive individuals were aiming at the easy targets of society....(Scammers)…but their aim was dominance and control over them because they were weaker individuals.

Paul reassures in V.9 that their deceptions will ultimately be revealed, which is what we see today. Those who are hiding scandals and playing off demographics of society, eventually are revealed...

Ex. Ravi Zacharias and Government officials who are caught in scandals

The spiritual defense is to depart from people that you know are corrupt or tread carefully until you know more about their internal life.

Scripture (Offense)

Paul gives a contrast to the deception of this world an makes a case for why he is to be trusted and what happens under the pressure of the world.

Paul has sacrificed for them.

Bondservant....a servant who is not paid.

2 Timothy 3:10–12 NKJV

10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

The world will naturally apply pressure to both righteous and wicked. The wicked will be exposed and the righteous will be delivered by God.

Paul re-affirms to Timothy that all who pursue after Christ will endure persecution. (MINDSET)

While things get worse and worse we will need to learn not only how to defend and protect ourselves (fleeing) but we will also need to push back. (spiritual offense)

We can push back in this world because the substance of our faith is credible and reasonable.

A reasonable faith…though we can’t reason through everything (ie. mysteries)

Our weapon is scripture

2 Timothy 3:13–15 NKJV

13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

New Testament IX: Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, 1–2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon Profitable for Correction

CHRYSOSTOM: By Scripture we may disprove what is false, be corrected, be brought to a right understanding, and be comforted and consoled. HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 9.35

Gregory of Nyssa

Such a gift as this, however, is not within any man’s reach to lay hold of. Rather, the divine intention lies hidden under the body of the Scripture, as it were under a veil, some legislative enactment or some historical narrative being cast over the truths that are contemplated by the mind. AGAINST EUNOMIUS 3.7.1.39

There is a power deeply embedded in scripture that won’t be uncovered at first pass. We must continue to dig over the years of our life continually exposing ourselves to scripture allowing it to penetrate deep.

Ways to expose ourselves

Personal reading and meditation

teaching from scripture and being taught scripture

its not about attending a bible study but rather the pattern of Bible study

studying of scripture

Over the years as we are exposed to scripture, it brings about a conviction for our faith which is needed to live as faithful servants in this world. Learning to battle the deceptions of this world.

OFFENSE CONTINUED

2 Timothy 4:1–3 NKJV

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

2 Timothy 4:4–5 NKJV

4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

There is a strategy for our spiritual offense.

CHRYSOSTOM: Whether you are in danger, in prison, in chains or going to your death, at that very time do not hesitate to admonish. Do not withhold your admonition. For it is then most seasonable, when your rebuke will be most successful, when the circumstance is at hand. “Exhort,” he says. After the manner of physicians, having shown the wound, he makes the incision, he applies the remedy. If you omit either of these, the other becomes useless. If you rebuke without convicting, you will seem to be rash, and no one will tolerate it. After the matter is proved, one will submit to rebuke. But before this, he will be headstrong. If you convict and rebuke, but vehemently, but do not apply exhortation, all your labor will be lost. For conviction is intolerable in itself if consolation is not mingled with it. HOMILIES ON 2 TIMOTHY 9.46

Admonish: earnestly urge or warn.

Rebuke: criticize or reprimand sharply.

Exhort: strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something

Convicting: strengthening someones belief

Finishing strong

2 Timothy 4:6–8 NKJV

6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

At the end of your life, what will you look back on in reflection? Will it be about your career and possessions? Relationships? Faith?

When death is around the corner, and we are about to meet our maker, we will not be thinking of the things of this world. Our faith and how we did or did not live it out will be the only thing that matters.