“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; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3–4)

Paul was deeply concerned that even among those who professed to know the truth, many no longer had a love for the truth. He warned Timothy, and us today, not to be disheartened or discouraged, but to keep our focus (2 Timothy 4:5).

We are living in such times. The question is: How will we respond?

1. Be Watchful in All Things: We must stay morally alert, sober, and self-controlled. Spiritual vigilance keeps us from drifting into compromise or apathy.

2. Endure Afflictions: We are called to persevere through trials and hardships with eyes fixed on Jesus. Circumstances should not define who we are—our identity is rooted in Christ.

3. Do the Work of an Evangelist: For the sacred to influence the secular, we must carry the heart of Christ for souls. Not all are called to be evangelists like Billy Graham, yet all are called to do the work of an evangelist—living in such a way that God’s light shines through us (Matthew 5:16).

Leonard Ravenhill once wrote: “Could a mariner sit idle if he heard the drowning cry? Could a doctor sit in comfort and just let his patients die? Could a fireman sit idle and let men burn and give no hand? Could you sit at ease in Zion with the world around you damned?”

There is such need in the world around us today. Shall we sit back on the beach and shores of ease and comfort, when so many are still shipwrecked in a sea of despair and destruction?

A.W. Tozer said it well: “The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth… He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.”

We must wake up from our slumber, stop hitting the snooze button, and rise to be messengers of good news in a world drowning in bad news.

4. Fulfill Your Ministry: The Amplified Bible says, “Fully perform all the duties of your ministry.” Each of us has been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). We must not mishandle the Word of God but manifest the truth with integrity (2 Corinthians 4:1–2).

But we can only manifest the truth if we truly love the truth. Too often, we turn from truth to embrace our own “golden calves”—our personal preferences or sacred cows.

As I often say: “Perception is not necessarily the truth, but it is the truth to the one who perceives it.” If we filter life through personal preferences rather than God’s Word and Spirit, we create kingdoms of our own making instead of living under His Kingdom.

The Charge to Preach the Word:

Paul begins his exhortation to Timothy with weighty words:

“I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ…” (2 Timothy 4:1)

This is no casual encouragement—it is a command given in the very Presence of God Himself.

Verse 2 gives the charge: Preach the Word. How?

1. Preach the Word: John Newton, once a slave ship captain turned clergyman, said: “My grand point in preaching is to break the hard heart, and to heal the broken one.” Rowland Hill said: “I don’t like those mighty fine preachers who round off their sentences so beautifully that they are sure to roll off the sinner’s conscience.”

2. Be instant in season and out of season: Always be ready, whether convenient or not, whether welcomed or rejected. The Amplified Bible says it this way, “Keep your sense of urgency…, be at hand and ready, whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable, whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it be welcome or unwelcome.” In other words, to “be instant” means to be at hand, to stand by, i.e., to be prepared, ready, keeping your sense of urgency. Notice that to be instant in and out of season may not always be favorable, convenient, or welcomed! 2 Timothy 4:2b

3. Reprove: To convince, correct, and challenge.
4. Rebuke: To strongly warn in love, guiding others back to truth. This word also means “to censure.” Censure is an expression of strong disapproval or denouncement, an official reprimand. Wikipedia says, “Censure is a process by which a formal reprimand is issued to an individual by an authoritative body.” We have seen this at times over the years with leaders who have misused their office or position. Both reprove and rebuke infer to challenge, correct, and discipline. The Lord corrects to guide and instructs those He loves. Likewise, our love for others moves us with deep compassion.

5. Exhort: To encourage, edify, and comfort with Spirit-filled urgency. The Greek word parakaleson can be translated either exhort or encourage, depending on the context in which it is used. It also means to bring edification and comfort.

A Call to Our Generation:

Yes, the time has come to love the truth and walk in sound doctrine with discernment of the times. As in the days of Noah, when the ark became a vessel of salvation, may we become a spiritual ark for those seeking refuge, preservation, and deliverance.

May we, like Paul, finish well and say with confidence:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

The time is now. Let us be watchful, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill our ministry, and faithfully preach the Word.

BY DOUG STRINGER