2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.
There was a time when this passage of scripture would have pertained to the future, but now we can surely say that the future is here and now. It seems as if everyday some new threat, some new virus, some new disturbance, and some new war is taking place, and before we can get done with one problem, there comes another close on the previous one's heels. But the scriptures do not leave us in doubt as to the root cause for most of these afflictions, for the very same passage delineates for us a great falling away as far as morality goes. This departure from righteousness runs the full gamut of sin and iniquity, from the fierce passions of man to those who assume an air of godliness but walk in a completely opposite direction. These things are but omens of something cataclysmic that is soon to take place, and they are also symptomatic of a deeper underlying problem. Let's read:
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
This fundamental problem of man cannot be addressed using man-made solutions, devices, or apps. As a matter of fact, we are powerless to stop the metastasizing of sin in our own persons, let alone others who are in the same boat as we are. There is a philosophy that has gained popularity in secular and theological circles, that teaches its adherents that there is good and bad in everyone, and that by sheer will power, and dwelling in the positive, we can cultivate the good and suppress the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery in our hearts. But nothing can be further from the truth, for the scriptures teach us that there is nothing inherently good in ourselves apart from Christ, and furthermore, all efforts to save ourselves or to become good without God will meet with miserable and abject failure. Let's read:
Psalms 14:2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
The one and only solution to our inherent problem of sin is Jesus Christ abiding in the heart, for He alone can change our vile natures from the inside out and thereby enable us to love everyone, and ultimately live peaceable with all who we come in contact with. Human nature is naturally defensive, and when perilous times come upon the stage of action, the natural thing for us to do is to retaliate and seek vengeance for any wrongs done, or for any violation of our rights. A few days ago I was at a stoplight, and was taking my time to clear the oncoming traffic safely. But as soon as I turned the corner, a gentleman in a pickup truck deliberately swerved in front of me to try and run me off the road, for what reason I still do not know.
Now I think I know many of the texts that pertain to keeping our cool and I could probably recite some of those which speak of the peace-makers, but I must say that the first involuntary reaction in my thoughts was not of peace; however I noticed that The Lord quickly took over, and I wasn't bothered by the incident anymore. We say that to say this, that if we allow Christ into our hearts on a daily, and moment by moment basis, He can and will release His love in our hearts, so that the fierceness and anger of ungodly men would not phase us as it too often does. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls on us to surrender to the good will of The Eternal God, so that His love, kindness, and peace may pervade our thoughts, actions, and moods. Let's read:
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!