2 Timothy 2:14-19
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Do we teach and speak empty and ruinous words with no eternal impact of lasting change from our own reasoning, or do we seek to use profitable words from scripture? We must strive to diligently and zealously find God’s approval in cutting His word straight, for only then will it profit others for their good and His glory while keeping us from finding shame in His sight. The empty and the profane will only lead to ungodliness and spread to destroy many others as cancer or gangrene rots away the healthy as it offers no hope. That false gospel and apocalyptic interpretations that assume God’s final workings give no hope, like the example here of claiming there will be no resurrection of the just as if it had already happened, or that there is no hell and final judgment. Many will set themselves up as supposed prophets, but if their message is not based on and aligned with God’s certain word, the effect is faith broken down, not built up. What seems good or fantastic is only eternally good if true, not just what sounds good to our itching ears which long for quick and pleasant words. The true hope and foundational reality is built therefore on the bedrock of God knowing His true sheep and our response to the grace of salvation with the pursuit of holiness, acceptable and pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ. We base this on the sound doctrines of grace from the scriptures, not the latest fads or charismatic speakers.
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