MEN SHALL BE LOVERS OF THEM OWN SELVES

21 Oct MEN SHALL BE LOVERS OF THEM OWN SELVES

For men shall be lovers of them own selves (2 Timothy 3:2)

The Scripture commands us to carry each other’s burdens, thereby fulfilling the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). Yet today, this is often replaced with the attitude, “Every man for himself, and God for us all,” or even more starkly, “Me, Myself, and I.” The Bible says, If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well (James 2:8) For those who love only themselves, this law seems old-fashioned and irrelevant. However, God remains unchanging (Malachi 3:6), and His Word endures forever (Psalm 119:89). Indeed, these are the last days when people will be lovers of themselves, leading to widespread violence, ritual killings for money, kidnappings for ransom, corruption, exchanging grades for favors, armed robbery, election rigging and more. Consider this biblical example: Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon (Isaiah 39:5-7) Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days (Isaiah 39:8).  His reply reveals a self-centered attitude, ignoring the gravity of the warning. The call to reflect on being “lovers of themselves” challenges you to examine your own heart. Are you living selfishly, seeking God only to guard your personal interests? Or are you surrendering your plans and desires to God’s will, trusting Him fully—whether in life or in death? When you act out of self-interest, you open yourself to weaknesses you fail to recognize and also cause harm to others. Do you love your neighbour as yourself? (Mark 12:31)