Living Faithfully in Difficult Days

We’re living in the last days. That might sound alarming, but here’s something you might not realize: the church has been in the “last days” for over 2,000 years. Ever since Jesus ascended into heaven, we’ve been in this final era of human history. The Apostle Peter declared it on the Day of Pentecost. The Apostle John wrote about it in his letters. We are here, in the end times.

But that raises an important question: how do we live faithfully when the days feel increasingly difficult?

The Reality of Difficult Days

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy with a sobering warning: “In the last days there will come times of difficulty.” This wasn’t meant to discourage, but to prepare. Like a wise parent warning their child about potential dangers, Paul wanted Timothy—and us—to enter these days with eyes wide open.

The difficulty we face isn’t primarily political, economic, or even circumstantial. The core challenge is relational. It’s about people. Paul provides a sobering list of character traits that will mark these difficult times: lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, ungrateful, heartless, without self-control, brutal, treacherous, reckless, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

Four Categories of Broken Character

When we break down Paul’s list, we find four distinct categories of dysfunction:

Disordered Love: People will love themselves, money, and pleasure more than God. This isn’t about healthy self-care or enjoying good things—it’s about making these things ultimate. It’s the narcissism of our age, the message that “we can save ourselves.” It’s settling for secondary pleasures when God offers us joy at His right hand forevermore.

Self-Aggrandizing Pride: The proud, arrogant, and conceited are everywhere. The Greek word Paul uses for one type of pride refers to a stock character in ancient plays—someone who brags about abilities they don’t actually possess while everyone else sees through the charade. They’re completely out of touch with reality, thinking themselves impressive while others remain unimpressed.

Lack of Character: Without gratitude, without grace, without compassion, without peace—these people are defined by what they lack. They’re ungrateful for gifts received, unholy in their daily lives, heartless toward others’ pain, and perpetually restless and discontented.

Obnoxious and Painful: These are people who use words to tear down rather than build up, who betray trust, who cause chaos wherever they go. Being around them feels like watching a Great Dane run wild in an antique store.

After this extensive list, Paul offers what seems like obvious advice: “Avoid such people.”

The Challenge of Discernment

But here’s where it gets tricky. Why would we need to be told to avoid obviously toxic people? Because they’re not always obviously toxic. Paul warns that such people often have “the appearance of godliness” while denying its power. They look good on the surface. They might say Christian things, reference Bible verses, or present themselves as spiritual guides.

Paul uses a fascinating Old Testament example to illustrate this. Remember when Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh, throwing down their staffs which turned into serpents? Pharaoh’s magicians did the same thing. To the casual observer, it looked identical—both groups performing the same miracle. But one was from God, and the other was counterfeit. (Spoiler: Moses and Aaron’s serpents ate the magicians’ serpents, revealing the true power.)

This is why discernment is so critical. Just because something is labeled “Christian” on Amazon or appears in the religion section of a podcast directory doesn’t mean it contains genuine spiritual truth. We need substance, not just seasoning. We need the real thing, not a hollow imitation.

The Problem Within

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: sometimes we are “such people.”

We can read Paul’s list with a self-righteous attitude, thanking God we’re not like those terrible folks. But if we’re honest, we see ourselves in that mirror. There are days when we love money more than generosity, when we’re ungrateful for blessings, when we’re heartless toward others’ struggles, when we’re reckless with our words or actions.

The problem with avoiding such people is that we’d have to avoid ourselves.

This realization should drive us to desperation—the good kind of desperation that recognizes we need rescue, not just good examples.

The Beautiful Contrast: Jesus

Take every negative trait Paul lists and flip it to its positive opposite. What do you see? You see Jesus.

Jesus didn’t have disordered love—His love was perfectly ordered. He loved the Father fully and loved people sacrificially. He found joy not in comfort or pleasure but in doing the Father’s will.

Jesus wasn’t self-aggrandizing but self-giving. He didn’t put Himself above others; He lowered Himself and took on the nature of a servant, washing feet and dining with outcasts.

Jesus had perfect character. Where others are ungrateful, He was thankful. Where others are unholy, He was pure. Where others are heartless, He overflowed with compassion. Everywhere Jesus went, He brought restoration, healing, and reconciliation.

And then this perfect, innocent, holy Jesus went to the cross. He was punished as though He were “such people”—bearing the weight of all our narcissism, ingratitude, heartlessness, and pride. On that cross, He cried out, “Father, forgive them.”

But death couldn’t hold Him. Jesus rose from the grave, conquering sin and death itself. And He offers us not just forgiveness but transformation. When we trust in Him, He takes residence within us and changes us from the inside out.

Three Perspectives for Faithful Living

How do we navigate these difficult days? We need a balanced perspective:

Adopt Realistic Awareness: Things will be hard. Don’t be naive. Put steel in your spine and grit in your determination. Difficulty is coming—be prepared.

Embrace Confident Hope: Jesus rose from the dead. His kingdom is advancing. We see evidence of His work everywhere. We have no reason to despair.

Practice Godly Discernment: Surround yourself with people who know you well and can help you see clearly. Some of us are naturally trusting; others are naturally cautious. We need each other to maintain balance.

The Path Forward

The key to avoiding toxic influences—both outside and within ourselves—is knowing Jesus deeply. The better we know Him, the more we’ll recognize what doesn’t look like Him. Study His character in Scripture. Spend time with Him in prayer. Let His Spirit transform you.

And don’t try to do this alone. Connect meaningfully with other Christians who can help you practice discernment, who will lovingly warn you when you’re drifting, who will point you back to truth when you’re being deceived.

Yes, we’re living in difficult days. But we serve a King who is faithful, loving, righteous, and powerful. He’s got you safe and secure. And He will keep you faithful until the end—because He remains faithful to you. The days may be dark, but we follow the Light of the World. And that changes everything.