HINDRANCES TO SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

2 Timothy 3:1-5

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: from such turn away.

The purpose of this lesson is to show the mindsets that oppose spiritual movement into the mind of Christ. God has set forth truths inside of His Word, that if obeyed, an immature saint will be brought to a place of stability to not be displaced or moved off course when any negative situation, circumstance or relationship comes his way.

It is God’s purpose to bring forth a people who will stand and glorify Him in the most adverse situations, offenses and temptations - which is most crucial for the saints as we approach the reign of the antichrist. If we are not purged of the mindsets that keep us tied to the world when the anti-Christian system is revealed, we will be lured into fulfilling our desires and will deny Christ. Contrary to popular belief, the scripture teaches that the Church will experience a part of the reign of the antichrist before the return of Christ. If the church world does not believe we will still be here during this time, it will not be prepared for suffering or self-denial.

Ninety percent of the church world believes that once they are saved, their mind has already been renewed and are to wait until Jesus comes to rapture them away. Because there is little teaching on purpose, the Body of Christ does not know why God saved them or who they really are in Christ. The sons of God are the righteousness of God; we are the only creatures in the universe who have His divine nature and the only creatures God will allow to share in the glory with Christ.

2 Timothy 2:12

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Note that the scripture says “if we suffer with Him”. What is the purpose for suffering? What is the purpose of God? The purpose for suffering is to destroy negative mindsets that will hinder the purpose of God. God’s purpose is always to WIN SOULS. Secondly, He is going to destroy the works of the devil by taking the sinner, turning him around, cleaning him up, changing his mind and using him to show principalities and powers His divine power and purpose.