The Devil's Slaves

In 2 Timothy 2:23-26, Paul warns Timothy to refuse ignorant and foolish speculations, as they lead only to quarrels. Ministers are the Lord's bondservants, His slaves, who must obey His will. They must avoid getting into quarrels, and be kind to all, patient when wronged and not thin-skinned and easily offended. The same goes for all of us. When offering correction we must do so in gentleness, that perhaps the unbeliever may be granted repentance by God. Repentance is a gift, not something we can summon up. Before salvation we are held captive by the Devil to do his will, and cannot do righteousness. The Devil does not make us sin, he holds out the temptation to gratify our own sinful desires and we gladly choose it even though it is killing us. It is much like a drunkard continuing to drink even though it is destroying him. We are to have pity on the lost and act toward them in gentleness.