What To Do
When Lawlessness Increases
End-Times Strategies - Part 2
By Rita Langeland
The New Testament provides multiple accounts which vividly describe what society will be like in the last days. In his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul gave this detailed warning.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God...
2 Timothy 3:1-4 NKJV
We have already begun to see these qualities manifesting in society, along with a violent brutality unleashed against the innocent that is seldom seen except in times of war. All facades of civility will quickly disappear as these end-times prophecies come to pass. In the Gospel of Matthew, we find Jesus explaining what will happen to the hearts of many people when lawlessness increases.
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
Matthew 24:12 ESV
During the end-times, when individuals encounter widespread cruelty, violence, and a total lack of concern for human life, any compassion or unconditional love they once had may quickly fade away. Anger, disgust, contempt and hatred for the perpetrators along with a desire for revenge will be vying to take up residence in the heart. This will be a very serious temptation even for believers. Note that Jesus said, “…the love of many will grow cold.” Not “the love of all will grow cold.” It is possible to stand your ground and not give in to the spirit of wickedness which will be prevalent at the time. We do NOT have to become cold-hearted! But we must prepare.
There is one spiritual defense available to hold off the enemy – you must GUARD YOUR HEART!
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
No army decides to guard the fort AFTER the war begins! It is too late! You must PLAN TO GUARD IT and practice guarding your heart against becoming COLD-HEARTED ahead of time. Practice when small offenses come against you:
- Someone says something unkind to you
- Someone insults/gossips about YOU, your family or friends
- Someone cheats you/lies to you/steals from you/underpays you
You guard your heart by deciding ahead of the offense occurring - what you will do and how you will respond.
- I choose to forgive ALL offenses IMMEDIATELY (don’t stew over offenses – they will grow in your heart!)
- I refuse to complain about my hurt to others
- I pray for the offender – for God to forgive them, to come to know the Lord or hear God’s voice/get revelation about their behavior from the Lord
- I roll the care of the whole matter on to the Lord and REFUSE TO pick it up again in my thought-life
- I refuse to allow the behavior of wicked people to cause me to lose my heart of love and thereby sever my relationship with God. (see 1 John 4:8)
This is a vital spiritual strategy to prepare yourself and your family for the increase in wickedness that will accompany the end-times. But there is good news – Jesus promised that he who endures to the end – will be saved!
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 24:12-13