Consider 2 Tim 3. These verses written in Scripture centuries ago speak in the current day of some people who are wicked and also are in the church. It seems to me the list found in these verses can apply equally to the lofty legalist as to the flamboyant charismatic. It's easy to see the aberrance of some charismatics because they are in the open. Less apparent are those who have the “form of godliness but deny the power thereof”. They look good but they aren't good.
When we recognize them we avoid them by our:
- continuing in things learned and assured (proved) (v14)
- learning things having come from good sources (v14)
- life long learning from the Scriptures (v15)
The Scriptures are good for:
- Doctrine - The teaching of and systematic way of thinking
- Reproof - “You are wrong, stop! Repent!”
- Correction - “You are going off course. This is what you must do to correct.”
- Instruction in righteousness – Showing what are the right actions and thoughts
The progression should be as follows:
- First we must know the basic truth – doctrine
- We must stop the wrong activity – reproof
- We must show the way to correct the activity – correction
- We must show the right way to do things – instruction
Here is the Instruction: 2Timothy 3:1 to 7:
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away . . .”
