8 Ways Life in Christ is Different

There are 8 ways of living listed in 2 Timothy 3:4-13 that don’t lead to life. But what, exactly, should take their place in the life of a Christ-follower?

Let’s look at the way of life that’s available for the Christ-follower.

Instead of Deception or Betrayal (that’s what “treachery” is; 2 Timothy 3:4)

1. Truth

Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. – Matthew 5:37 (NKJV)
…putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. – Ephesians 4:25 (NKJV)
Also see Ephesians 4:15.

Instead of Not Caring About the Effect of Your Behavior on Others (that’s what “reckless” is; 2 Timothy 3:4)

2. Look Out for Others

Do nothing from selfishness…; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4 (NASB)
Also see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Instead of Conceit (2 Timothy 3:4)

3. Humility

Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3 (HCSB)

Instead of Being Lovers of Pleasure Rather Than Lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:4)

4. Walk by the Spirit

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. – Galatians 5:16 (NASB)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. – Colossians 2:6-7 (NASB)
Also see Romans 8:1-16 and Philippians 3:7-10, 3:14, 3:20-21.

Instead of Holding to a Form of Godliness While Denying Its Power (2 Timothy 3:5)

5. Live by God’s Power

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. – 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)
For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. – 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NLT)
May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. – 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NLT)
God has… given us a spirit of… power. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. – 2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT)
Matthew 13:54 and Mark 6:2 refer to the power of Jesus to do miracles.
Matthew 22:29 and Mark 12:24 refer to the power of God.
Mark 3:22 refers to Jesus’ power to cast out demons.
Mark 5:30 speaks of healing power going out of Jesus.
Jesus’ power is also discussed in Luke 6:19, 8:46; John 5:26, 9:3, 17:12; Acts 2:22, 10:38; and Hebrews 7:16, 9:14.
Mark 3:27 refers to the power of Christ to bind Satan.
“… before they see the kingdom of God arrive in great power!” – Mark 9:1 (NLT)
Jesus gives power to his disciples; see Luke 9:1, 10:19, 24:49; Acts 1:8, 3:12, 4:7, 4:10, 11:21, 14:3.
John 20:31 speaks of eternal life by the power of Jesus’ name.
Acts 4:30 refers to the healing power of God through Jesus.
Acts 6:8 describes Stephen as “full of power.”
Acts 9:22 says that Paul’s preaching became more powerful.
Acts 14:1 refers to Paul’s and Barnabas’s power preaching.
Acts 19:11 refers to Paul having the power to perform unusual miracles.
Acts 18:28 speaks of Apollos’ powerful debate.
Romans 1:4 says the Holy Spirit’s power raised Jesus from the dead.
Romans 1:16 and 6:4 refer to salvation by the power of God.
Also see Romans 15:19; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1:24, 2:4-5, 5:4; 6:14; 12:10; 2 Corinthians 4:6-8, 12:9, 13:3-4; Ephesians 1:19, 6:10, 3:19-20; Philippians 2:13, 3:10; Colossians 1:11, 1:29, 2:12; Hebrews 13:21; James 1:21, 4:12, 5;16; 1 Peter 1:5, 1:12; and 2 Peter 1:3. (There are also many more Scriptural references to living by God’s power.)

Instead of Opposing the Truth (2 Timothy 3:6-8)

6. Be Set Free by Truth

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:31-32 (NASB)
… grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. – John 1:17 (NASB)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6 (NASB)
But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…. – John 16L13 (NASB)
Also see John 3:21, 4:23-24, 8:40, 14:17, 15:26, 17:17, 17:19, 18:37; Acts 23:11; 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 2 Corinthians 13:8; Ephesians 4:15, 4:21, 4:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:10, 2: 12-13; 1 Timothy 2:4, 3:15; and 2 Timothy 2:15.

Instead of Foolishness (2 Timothy 3:9)

7. Request & Receive God’s Wisdom

James 1:5-8 describes how to ask for and receive God’s wisdom.
Also see Matthew 7:24.

Instead of Evil People and Imposters, Deceiving and Being Deceived (2 Timothy 3:13)

8. Walk in the Light of Christ & Hear His Voice

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” – John 8:12 (NASB)
My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. – John 10:27 (HCSB)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life….” – John 14:6 (NASB)
See also John 8:31-32; Ephesians 4:25.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life….”

– John 14:6 (NASB)

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