Introduction:

In these “last times” Satan is at work influencing the powers that be in governments and nations. We are subtly and progressively moving toward a one world global ideology. A majority of Generation Z looks upon this as a noble endeavor and are supporting the concept of no borders and a one world government. Psalms 22:7, 8 – 64:7, – 72:11, – 82:8,9

Many will only recognize evil if it openly declares itself as evil. But this approach will end up embracing Satan himself, who transforms himself into an angel of light. If Satan were to appear before a human audience, they would be strongly tempted to worship him as a creature of almost divine beauty. He would be regarded as an angel of light. Second Corinthians chapter 11 reminds us that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. It is so easy for people, including Christians, to be taken in by images and outward appearances. You heard the old saying you can put lipstick on a pig but it still a pig.

In our last messages we discussed the “Ploys of Deceivers” 3:6-8. False teachers creep into homes (3:6a). The word translated creep means to sneak in. It is using devious methods or strategies to gain entry into homes for the purpose of teaching. Satan is the counterfeit of God. “Demons are the counterfeit of angels. The world is the counterfeit of the Kingdom. Lies are the counterfeit of the truth”. – – – Mark Driscoll
This is what Paul is teaching Timothy that the profile of a deceivers is to be a counterfeit.

II The Profile of Deceivers (3:8b)

1. To illustrate the profile of the deceivers of the last days, Paul writes: Now as Jannes [Jan iz] and Jambres [Jam brez] withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth (3:8a). Jannes and Jambres are not mentioned in the OT passage we read but Jewish tradition says they were the Egyptian magicians who sought to duplicate Moses’ miracles in order to discredit him.

2. When Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh to demand that he let the Israelites go, Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh, and it became a snake. Then, Pharaoh summoned his magicians. Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses with their magicians’ rods.
-2 Peter 3:15-16
False teachers today fit the same profile. The magicians’ rods looked just like Aaron’s, and they seemed to have the same power. In the same way, deceivers use the same Bible and speak the same Christian clichés. The work of Satan is always to counterfeit God. Many appear to duplicate the miracles of Christ through trickery, such as fake healing services.

3. Satan has always produced counterfeit preachers who claim to speak for God and do some astounding things to make it convincing. He describes them as men of reprobate or depraved minds. That is kat-af-thi’-ro; a perfect passive participle. It’s a condition of perversion. They have been made into a perverted state, a corrupt state. Their faculties, having refused the truth have become unable to receive the truth.
I have studied of secular news investigators who uncover secret communication devices and people paid to appear sick or crippled and then “healed” in these services. Deceivers today also tell of visions God has given them that require us to give money for God’s work to be done. Jesus described this kind of deceiver “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves”. Matthew 7:15

4. They are men of corrupt minds (2 Timothy 3:8b), which refers to an unchangeable condition. This means even when exposed or confronted with the truth, they will remain unchanged. Paul describes such corrupt charlatans by writing: in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1).

Paul adds that these people with corrupt minds are reprobate concerning the faith (2 Timothy 3:8c).The word-translated reprobate was used of metals that did not pass the test of purity and were discarded. It refers to rejection because of a counterfeit or fake faith. Detecting deceivers requires we know the ploys of deceivers, the profile of deceivers, and…

III. The Plight of Deceivers (3:9)

1. While deceivers will be a problem to the church, the Bible says: But they shall proceed no further … (3:9a). Neither in Paul’s day nor ours will they strike a fatal blow against the true church. Deceivers go more and more in the direction of deceit and ungodliness. Their foolish minds become darkened, and their temporary success inflates their egos so they believe they can get by with anything. As a result, their pride and foolishness shall be manifest unto all men. They will be exposed for the true liars they are.

The Bible teaches that deceivers will intensify in numbers and efforts as the second coming draws closer. This means we must test every message we hear with God’s written Word. In this passage Paul graphically gives us the information we need for detecting deceivers by describing the procedures of deceivers, the profile of deceivers, and the plight of deceivers.

2. God has a limit on them. There’s a limit to what Satan can do. There’s a limit to how far God will allow him to move. When he works against the purposes of almighty God, he is constrained. He is constrained.

Conclusion:

Paul uses the comparison to both warn Timothy and affirm him. The warning is that people have always opposed the truth of God and those who stand with God. The affirmation is that they will not win the war. We’re on the winning side if we love the Lord, if you are saved you are on the victor side.

Communion
We gather together today to receive communion. The purpose of the Communion is to safe- guard unity. It is design to protect this sacred unity. The apostle Paul rebuked the church at Corinth for their poor behavior and their disgrace at the Lord’s Supper. Therefore, according to the apostle, a proper participation involves a careful self-examination.