...lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. - 2 Timothy 3:4-5 (ESV)
This is a good warning about others and a firm rebuke to the state of our own souls.
1) The King James says “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God” (emphasis mine) where as almost every other translation reads "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." Interesting, but what's the point?
There is a way to enjoy the things in this world in such a way as it glorifies the Creator. By enjoying our Creator first, I believe we can legitimately and more fully enjoy that which He has made. But there is another pseudo-satisfaction that can be had from the stuff of earth, but in the end our desire for it supplants our desire for God.
While the transition from 'more than' in the KJV to 'rather than' in the NKJV, NASB, ESV, NIV, etc. was probably done on grammatical grounds, it highlights an important point. God is to be loved fully, not partially. There isn't a scale that reads - "you loved God more than golf today, so you're OK" or "you have loved God for 2 hours so you can only watch TV for 2 hours otherwise your life is out of balance." No, if we are to love God, TV and golf must be enjoyed to His glory or they replace love that should be going towards God.
2) (Especially after some conversations I had today) We must be careful who we follow. There are a bunch of people who appear to be doing good stuff, but yet the is a serious disconnect from the cross.
May our godliness be from the power of Christ - not just an illusion fabricated for the benefit of others, an apparition to placate our own delusions.
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