In 2 Timothy 2, Paul contrasts two types of people, those who bear the Lord’s seal and those who do not. He tells Timothy how to deal with those who do not bear the seal and thus oppose the Lord’s message.

The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

-2 Timothy 2:24-26

When dealing with those inside or outside the church that are in opposition to the truth, seeking an argument is not the godly course of action. Patience and gentleness should be our teaching standards. Maybe, they will turn to God and be freed from sin. However, what Paul says next is disturbing, beginning with the proverbial “but.”

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. -2 Timothy 3:1-7

His message to Timothy is clear. Timothy will be fighting a losing battle in most cases because people are narcissistic pleasure-mongers. The responsibility to try and reach them still remains though. How is Timothy supposed to reach these people?

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. -2 Timothy 3:16-17

Paul says that these “sacred writings” (2 Timothy 3:15) are useful for many things—reproof, correction, training, adequacy, and equipping. The word translated as “reproof” can also be translated as “conviction.” This does not carry the meaning of “condemn” but rather to “make a sinner feel guilty” moving them to seek a change of behavior. “Correction” can also be translated “restoration.” The power to move someone from disobedience and captivity to repentance and restoration dwells in the Scriptures.

Whether the opposition is inside or outside the church, we must use the Scriptures gently to reach them. It does little good to club them over the head with God’s Word. Patiently and prayerfully reasoning with them from Scripture can not only free this person from Satan’s traps but also strengthen us so we are not led astray. Let us seek to be proficient in God’s Word so we can be “equipped for every good work.” People’s souls depend on it!