In our last post we spoke of experiential knowledge, a knowledge of the Lord that goes beyond the head and into the heart. Timothy was charged with a type of teaching – a method of teaching that was characterized by gentleness, kindness, patience and was without quarrelling. The reason for this non-combative style of teaching? To allow God to perform the work of changing hearts, and to allow the opponent to choose based on truth and not intimidation.

First, Paul is speaking of the opponents being led to the knowledge of truth. Let’s consider Paul’s second intent for this manner of teaching.

Come to thier senses

In our last post we spoke of Timothy’s targeted audience in his teaching, and came to the understanding that he was to teach everyone, even his opponents. His mission was to those in the church and out of the church, and for both groups, his approach of gentleness patience and kindness was to be exhibited.

Paul’s second goal of this passage, that he was laying out for Timothy, was that his teaching was to wake the opponents up, help them “come to their senses”

Again, we must not limit Timothy’s audience to only those outside of the church, for there have been many times, as a believer, I have had to come to my senses, come to a new understanding, repent of my previous thinking and see things in a different light.

To “come to your senses” is a translation of a word that speaks of returning to soberness, of recovering your self from a delusion or a mistake.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, there is nothing from the text that implies or teaches that Paul is only speaking of those outside of the church. Believers can fall into error. Believers can wander off the path. Believers can trip and stumble. As a matter of fact, believers not only can but do tend to walk away. We are very good at walking the wrong path!

How often have you known someone who has walked away from the Lord, and after a period of wandering, returned? Of a person who struggled with a certain truth, and then, for some unknown reason and at a unexpected time, come to realize a different perspective, a different focus or goal for life, a different emphasis or direction for his/her life?

Paul is seeking Timothy to reach out to those who are of a different opinion, of a different thinking and to offer a cogent and practical message reflecting truth, which the opponent will recognize in both the message and the teacher himself.

escape from the snare of the devil

Ok, this is the portion of 2 Timothy that has brought this passage into the topic of Conditional Security. What is the snare of the devil, and what exactly does it mean if it is being applied to the believer?

Paul uses this exact phrase in 1 Timothy 3:6-7, where he is speaking of the qualification of overseers.

1 Timothy 3:6-7

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

We see that the snare of the devil is applied directly to a believer, a leader-servant within the body in this verse. Also, by the previous verse, we see that condemnation is associated with this believer. Horrible things to consider!

So let us consider what a snare is. Of course, in my mind, when speaking of a snare, I think of a trap, especially a rope noose that slings the victim into the air once it is sprung. The element of surprise is necessary, for no victim would knowingly set the trap to be caught. The trap must offer something tantalizing, something worth seeking and yet only provides disappointment, suffering, loss, and possibly death.

The snare, in this instance, is referred to by Paul to speak of that which the believer may escape from. It is not a done deal, a fait accompli!

This is good news, and our only escape is through the truth of the gospel, whether we be saints or sinners! We are offered release from the snare of the devil, from condemnation and loss. After being led to acknowledging (head knowledge) and knowing (heart knowledge) the truth, we may come to our senses, wake up in the very same way as the prodigal son, and return to the Father to do His will.

May we seek this in our lives and honor His name!

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