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, slanders, without control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Perilous, chalepos; Strong’s #5467. Harsh, savage, difficult, dangerous, painful, fierce, grievous, hard to deal with. The word describes a culture that is barren of virtue but abounding with vices.

The Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy and us to continue our walk in Christ, standing fast in the face of increased evil. Now as then, people are characterized by all kinds of self-centered and unnatural perversions. Some will speak Christianize to maintain an outward pretense, but all the while refusing the reality of what the Christian faith expresses.

The power denied by them is the heart of Christianity—the fact of a risen Redeemer, the truth of the inspired (God breathed) Word of God and the indwelling and overflowing of the gift of the Father, the person of the Holy Spirit; who works within believers and transforms their lives to image of Christ.