The Apostle Paul told Timothy to mark a certain Truth…to give it his full attention: What was this important Truth? There would be terrible times in the last days—times when people would have a form of godliness but deny its power. As for these people, Paul said stay away from them. 2 Tim. 3:5.

Today, one doesn’t have to look hard to find those who voice an affinity for God but live in ways that do not honor or glorify Him. Paul describes these devotees of false religion as lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, and unforgiving, among other things. 2 Tim. 3:1-4. They are hypocrites who, while outwardly acknowledging God, refuse the Holy Spirit’s power of conviction and correction. They are imposters who will not yield to the power that would transform them into the likeness of Jesus. It seems wise that we should avoid them. For counterfeits to Christianity can tempt us to sin. Their words and actions can lead us away from the sound doctrines of Scripture. And their influence can tarnish our witness to Christ.

But does avoidance of hypocrites constitute our immediate and complete disengagement from them? No. As followers of Christ, it is imperative that we share the Truths He taught with them. We should try to convince them why the legitimate pursuit of godliness through Jesus and His Spirit means the difference between eternal life and death. Should our endeavors along these lines fail, however, we must remain conscious of how our continued connections might compromise the Gospel message.

With these thoughts in mind, how are you marking Paul’s instruction to Timothy? Are you giving it your full attention? Aligning yourself with it? Remember, Paul is not asking us to disconnect from the lost, the seeking, and the growing. We should be spending time with them. He is asking us to steer clear of those who claim to know God but act indifferent to His ways and His holiness. Have you taken an inventory of those with whom you spend your time? Do your “Christian” friends cause you to follow Jesus? Or do they convince you to take a few steps away from Him? Do your relationships lead others to view you as an authentic follower of Christ? Or something else? The answers to these questions may prove it’s time for some frank conversations or a restructuring of your current connections.