In my walk through the Book of Isaiah, I continue to stand in awe of the Word of God. How those words written so long ago feel like they are being spoken to people today.

What I am discovering is how often, we can easily get caught up in becoming the Pretenders of Faith.  We become “know-it-all’s.”  We feel that we have a better grasp of the Word of God than others.  One must be careful not to get caught up in that pretending faith.

Today, I was drawn to the Book of 2 Timothy, Chapter Three. The verse that lingered in my mind – my soul was verse five.  So as I do many days, I go to different translations and then ponder on the words.  Maybe you might be interested in following along with me today:

2 Timothy 3:5:

“having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (ESV)

“as they retain the outer form of religion but deny its power. Stay away from these people!” (CJB)

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (KJV)

“holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away.” (ASV)

“having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (NIV)

“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (NLT)

“They may pretend to have a respect for God, but in reality they want nothing to do with God’s power. Stay away from people like these!” (TPT)

What is the “power” spoken of in this verse?

NT:1411 –
<START GREEK>du/nami$
<END GREEK> dunamis (doo’-nam-is); from NT:1410; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself):

KJV – ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.  ((Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006, 2010 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Why are the people referred to “as denying the power?”  They appear religious, yet they deny the power.  Why?

My first thought.  They were controlling.  They were afraid to know and understand the power of God.  They learned how to pretend, to give out those outer appearances of holiness – of godliness, yet avoiding the power.

In many ways, I am always drawn back to these thought questions.  Please note that I look at myself and answer these questions. Maybe you would like to consider answering them too:

Where is the fruit in your life?  Can you identify that fruit?  Have you seen growth in your spiritual and physical life? Are you able to verbalize what that growth is?

Many times we spend our time looking at others and what they are doing and then never focusing upon our own walk with the Lord.  Sometimes even tossing stones at others and keeping them in the “lime-light” while we stay unexposed.

What heart surgery have you allowed into your life from the Lord recently?  Has He been able to do a little cutting away and pruning or are you lying dormant in a pretend world?

My Song: Let Him Have His Way With Thee

Yes, an old and classic hymn sung so many years ago in church.  Have you allowed Him to have His way with you?  Have you allowed His Power to make you what you ought to be?  Have you allowed Him control over your life?  Not just parts, but total control of your life?