"Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith" (2 Tim. 3:8). Doubtless Jannes and Jambres were two men of Pharaohs court who opposed Moses (Ex. 7). Observe that to oppose or withstand Moses was to "resist the truth." Likewise, to "resist the truth" was to withstand Moses.

It is true today. Men who "resist the truth" align themselves in opposition to the Son of God. When a man denies the necessity of baptism in Mark 16:16 or Acts 2:38, he is resisting the truth; he is withstanding Jesus. When a man advocates Holy Spirit baptism, miracles, and tongue speaking for believers today, he is resisting the truth; he is opposing the Son of God (1 Cor. 13:8- 10).

When Old Testament fathers refused and rejected the words of the prophets, they were resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51; Cf. 2:Kgs. 17:13-15; Neh. 9:20, 30). Those who withstood Moses and the prophets, and who resisted the truth and the Holy Spirit, were overthrown. What is the significance of that? "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven" (Heb.12:25). When one refused to hear Moses and the prophets, he was guilty of resisting the truth and resisting the Holy Spirit; therefore, those today who refuse to hear the apostles and prophets of the New Testament are guilty of resisting Christ, resisting the truth, and resisting the Holy Spirit. Since they did not escape then, how shall we escape now (Heb. 2:1-4; 10:28, 29)?

You cannot afford to be like Jannes and Jambres. You dare not go to the judgment in resistance to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the truth. Obey now while you have time and opportunity!

By Larry Ray Hafley
From Expository Files 7.4; April 2000


 

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