ESCAPE… RECOVER. 2nd Timothy 2:26 False teaching impacts believers and sometimes attracts and deceives them, much like how a taste of alcohol can deceive the brain and influence the body. A servant of the Lord understands that some people have been or can be deceived by the devil and are at risk of being blinded to God's truth, leading them to accept and believe error. It is at this point that they become captive or “caught alive” to Satan's will.
The only way a deceived person can be free from false doctrine is by hearing and believing the Gospel and reading God’s word. We have liberty in Christ, but it can be jeopardized if we neglect the word of God and focus on the words of those who claim they have “new truth” or “further revelations.”
It is our duty to stay pure by avoiding evil, false teachers, unholy, foolish chatter, and man-made opinions. We should prepare like soldiers, athletes, farmers, and workers to serve as son-servants in whatever way the Master desires. This cleansing involves keeping our hearts free from anything that could entangle us, much like a soldier who aims to please his Commander.
Our mind and understanding, along with its reasoning ability, should be maintained through diligent study, like a skilled worker, to fulfill what the Master desires. Our walk (our actions) will stay straight by avoiding the wrong company and conduct. Demas' heart was misguided; he loved the world. Hymenaeus' and Philetus' minds were misled by false teachings about the resurrection. Phygellus' and Hermogenes' actions went astray when they turned away from Paul.
Each of us is expected to be available for use, with a heart that is pure and open for God to teach and guide us into all truth. Our work is a lifelong service to the Lord and for His honor, no matter what life brings. Some believers, as servants of the Lord, have a public role suited for them, while others must learn things they never considered and are called to endure suffering, disappointments, and rejection. All are called to serve in purity, hope, truth, faith, and grace until life is complete.
When those characteristics are evident, a person who is strong in faith and sound in doctrine can instruct and correct those who oppose. The goal isn't to win an argument, but to win the person. To bring about change in someone who is wrong helps preserve that person and those influenced by their teaching, guiding them back to the "foundation of God." When repentance happens, freedom from the devil's grip can follow. They are like a drunken person who has been sobered up and rescued from the "snare of the devil," no longer controlled by their own stubborn ways. Now, they are free to do God's will as a servant of the Lord. Since the early church, believers have faced hardship for the sake of our Lord. Many have suffered, and many still do, just like a good soldier who meets the expectations of their commanding officer. Courage, commitment, and devotion to duty rather than seeking pleasure define those who accept the challenge of divine service. We are not alone when we face pressure for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. The names of honorable men and women are like a cloud of witnesses surrounding us. A hardy soldier is willing to endure “hardship” (RV. “take thy part in suffering,” or “suffer hardship with me”) as Paul exemplified in [2Cor.11:23-29] and act under orders given by another. The “man that warreth” is actively engaged in the things of God, not involved in civilian matters as distinct from military ones. Entanglement is the problem, not the existence of worldly things. Like soldiers, we must give up worldly security and endure severe discipline, being willing to sacrifice to achieve the desired result – victory for the King.