The form of godliness

2Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
 7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

A form of godliness is a semblance or likeness of godliness, but where it differs from true godliness is its lack of the power of godliness.

One of the major characteristics of such people is that they shall be lovers of themselves.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

It is a form of godliness that pervades the whole of Christianity today. It is entrenched in the culture of "fulfilling your dreams"; " following your passion"; " adding value to yourself"; and so on.

These are the modern day doctrines of the Church and they have nothing to do with the cross of Christ; rather those who follow these teachings have made themselves enemies of the cross of Christ.

Phillipians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

You must understand that the above verse is talking about BRETHREN who are enemies of the cross of Christ.

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

All they think about is success and greatness in earthly things, their belly - what to eat, drink, where to live, etc.

These things have become their god, for when Paul talks about their belly being their god he is no doubt referring to not merely eating and eating; but he is referring to the incessant feeding of the flesh and the satisfying of all its desires.

In this way, their flesh is their god BECAUSE they mind earthly things.

You cannot mind both earthly and heavenly things simultaneously, for one is always the dominant one.

Paul wept over them because they were BRETHREN. Even so we have brethren today who have become ensnared by the lust for greatness; the desire for worldly success; they have become "motivated" to get these things by "teachings' that excite them.

" Money is good. Who does not want money raise your hand and let me pray for you "; with this and other seemingly harmless, innocent and innocuous quotes a congregation is disarmed, rendered powerless to resist, and put to sleep.

Beware of " harmless", "innocent", teachings that tend to make you laugh, get excited (motivated); or divert your attention from the saving of your soul; for even as your spirit has been saved, so also must your soul; and then will come the salvation of the body when the Lord returns for his own; those who have crucified the lusts and the affections of the flesh.

But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Hebrews 10:39

Brethren, not all " spiritual " teachings are SPIRITUAL!