2 Timothy: Guard The GospelSample

‘… having a form of godliness but denying its power’ (v. 5).

Paul gives a blunt and disturbing picture of people who live for themselves rather than God. But his words in verse 5 are the most shocking because he says it’s possible for these people to have a form – or appearance – of godliness. They can be people within the church.

We don’t always spot ungodliness straightaway. It can be masked by good – or religious – behaviour. Paul warns there will be people who appear to have faith, but don’t genuinely follow Jesus. They may take part in services, sing worship songs or give money to the church. But they haven’t been inwardly changed by the power of the gospel – their faith is not genuine. Some will even teach within the church (v. 8). These teachers may appear to be godly because they know the Scriptures, but if this knowledge doesn’t affect their behaviour, they are deceived about their spirituality – they are like the Pharisees in Jesus’ day.

The Holy Spirit is powerful and transforms lives (1:7). People who concentrate on having a knowledge of God but are not transformed by him are not genuine believers. They resist God’s work in their lives, rejecting his power to change them from worshippers of themselves to worshippers of God. 

We need to be aware of people within the church who say they follow Jesus but are really living for self, money and pleasure. And we need to guard against this kind of hypocrisy in our own lives. True godliness is seen in action. Our faith in Jesus is proved genuine by outward expressions of love for God and others, rather than self. If we are focused on religious rule-keeping but do not genuinely love God and others, we need to repent and ask for God’s Spirit to do his powerful transforming work in our hearts. If we say we love God but are living selfish and unholy lives, we need to repent and ask for his Spirit’s power to change our behaviour.

Reflection

What evidence is there that your heart has been transformed by the Holy Spirit? Does your outward behaviour reflect what God has done inside you? Ask for forgiveness if you have focused on appearing godly but haven’t been genuine in your love for God or others.