2 Timothy 3

As Paul writes Timothy, he provides one of the clearest pictures our day (and he couldn't have been more correct) -

"...that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof..." (New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:1 - 5)

Even though his epistle is to Timothy, I sense Paul is writing directly to us -

"...from such turn away." (New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:5)

As Paul seemed to see our day, he wrote -

"For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:6 - 7)

If you lived in Paul's day, how would you reflect the influence of television and media - "creep into houses". For -

"...evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." (New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:13)

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (New Testament | 2 Timothy 4:3 - 4)

Paul teaches Timothy several sources that will greatly assist the saints these perilous times. First of living Apostles and Prophets -

"...continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them..." (New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:14)

But also -

"...that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..."
(New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:15 - 16)

The very purpose of scriptures, Apostles and Prophets is -

"That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (New Testament | 2 Timothy 3:17)

For -

"...he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive..." (New Testament | Ephesians 4:11 - 14)