Words of Hope Daily Devotional
Danger Within
Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-17
Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it. (v. 14)
We live in a world of spam—junk emails, scam phone calls, and conniving social media messages. Some may try to rob you of your money, character, and peace. Others may just want to use you, your information and influences, or your contacts. The first half of our reading today warns against the way people are pulled into sin and the many ways sin stains their characters.
Unfortunately, this kind of corruption also sometimes comes from people claiming to be Christians. Paul characterized these bad teachers as “lovers of self, lovers of money . . . rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (vv. 2-5). Jesus named them as ferocious wolves in the skin of sheep (Matt. 7:15). It takes wisdom to see through the false promises of false prophets.
As believers, we are called to something better, and Paul tells Timothy the way—following good teaching from trusted teachers (2 Tim. 3:10) and studying the Scriptures (vv. 15-17). Watch out and be alert to the danger from within as much as from outside. About these false teachers, Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ” (Matt. 7:22-23 NIV).
As you pray, ask God to give you wise teachers and fellow believers, and protect the church from false teachers.
About the Author
SE Asia Ministry Leader
Words of Hope’s South Asia Ministry field leader is based in India and works with more than 70 team members sharing the hope of the gospel in more than 20 languages. Because of security concerns, we have chosen not to share his name.
The Value of Silence
Read: James 1:16-27 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. (v. 19) Have you ever regretted a conversation that turned out to be unproductive? Sometimes, I have dropped my
How Should We Pray?
Read: Matthew 6:5-15 Pray then like this . . . (v. 9) During the pandemic, people prayed regularly—for quick healing and relief, turning everything over to God. It’s always good to turn to God in prayer and cry out to
The Pain of Waiting
Read: Luke 2:25-35 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (v. 25) Waiting can be excruciating,
Broken Heart
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (vv. 8-9) Horatio
A Perfect Home
Read: Hebrews 11:8-16 They desire a better country . . . a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (v. 16) Every human heart longs for a
Together at Last
Read: Revelation 21:1-6, 22-26 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. (v. 1) My wedding day was chaotic. It was marked by torrential rain. When the flowers arrived, they were inexplicably the wrong color. My future grandfather-in-law