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People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 2 Timothy 3:2-4

Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Listen: 2 Timothy 3

Paul describes how people will live in the “last days.” Paul means the time between Jesus’s life on earth and his future return. He says that in these last days, “People will be lovers of themselves.” He roots a series of negative character traits in this one characteristic—loving oneself. Paul warns Timothy to be careful about such people and not to be influenced by them.

Paul’s words to Timothy are important for us today, too. We may see ourselves somewhere in Paul’s list in 2 Timothy 3:2-4. If we live for ourselves, we will become a destructive influence on those around us. Some of us might be more concerned about climbing the social or corporate ladder than being a good friend or treating our coworkers well. For others, we may be more concerned about pursuing our desires than being faithful to the people and places God called us to. Instead, Paul encourages us to be people who love God and to avoid becoming like those who are lovers of themselves.

TODAY: Reflect on the list in 2 Timothy 3:2-4. Do you see yourself within it? Or, are there people in your life whose self-focus could be destructive to your spiritual growth? How can you exercise caution around them? Invite God to help you identify opportunities for growth in your life and for wisdom about how to create healthy relationships with those whose influence could be destructive.


JESUS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

Read 1 Samuel 28-29. Highlight anything that points to Jesus.