Men of Corrupt Minds

There’s something stuck in my mind I can’t shake. It is most applicable to the political and social environment we are in today. What has stayed in my thoughts is found in Paul’s first letter to Timothy.

“Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Timothy 1:5).

Paul earlier defines what he means when he says, “men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth”. It is someone who consents, “not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness”.

Simply put, men of corrupt minds that are void of truth are those who reject Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word of God. They forego the spoken word of Jesus Christ and the revelation of His divine plan and purpose. And finally, the doctrine from God inspired men who were given knowledge and foresight of the way, the truth and the light.

What is to be expected of these corrupted men? “Perverse disputings”. They will dote “about questions and strifes of words” creating “envy, strife, railings” and “evil surmisings” (1 Timothy 6:4)

Doesn’t this all bring to mind the political and social environment we are in today?

What are we to do? Paul says we should, “withdraw thyself”. (1 Timothy 6:5). Disengage from the “perverse disputings” and do not associate with the “men of corrupt minds” that are “destitute of the truth”.

King Solomon put it this way:

“Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. (Proverbs 4: 14-17).

Perversity and corruption will turn the truth upside down to create a lie. Men of corrupt minds suppose that gain is godliness. Paul rights the ship when he says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Gain is carnal man’s God. God is the saintly man’s gain.

Disengage and dissociate from the perversity of the corrupt, unrighteous man. As Paul says, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12)