1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves...
These are the last days in which the Apostle Paul warned of danger; one of the greatest dangers that he lists in 2 Timothy 3 is the fact that men/women will be lovers of their own selves.
Benjamin Franklin said, "He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals." It is also called narcissism from Greek mythology. A young man named "Narcissus" fell in love with his own reflection in the waters of a spring and pined away.
Narcissism is an egotistical preoccupation with self, personal preferences, aspirations, needs, success, and how he/she is perceived by others. It is a person that is totally absorbed in self and the center of his/her own universe.
Someone with the narcissus personality will be your friend and keep you close as long as you are useful. Once you do not have anything more to offer and they have taken all they want from you, you are history. You are no longer desired, wanted, or sought.
Self-love is the dominant characteristic of the last days and is evident by greedy, covetous and arrogant attitudes that are so prevalent in society today.
What has happened to true affection? Unnatural affection and perversion are embraced and even applauded by the world today.
These last days have brought times of great stress and duress; days of difficulty. It gives us an idea of the kind of seasons that the church can expect in the days ahead; they will be painful, perilous, hard to endure and hard to cope with.
We need to be prepared for the change in behavior we will encounter; friends and even family members will betray one another. People that you think are your friends today will be your enemies tomorrow!
Paul says to begin with; the reason why, is because men/women will be lovers of their own selves.
It is men/women who are responsible for the frightening times that the church has to face. Evil men/women who are under Satan's influence and deception; men/women whose behavior is self-centered, immoral and hostile toward God.
Self-centered, selfish and proud individuals who will spread evil and heresy throughout the church bringing division and strife. Jude warned that they have crept in unawares into the church in these last days.
In order to counteract the spirit of this age; we must fall totally in love with Jesus Christ! That's the cure and the antidote for the "Narcissus Syndrome". We must love God more than life itself:
Mark 12:30
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."
Let me challenge you to go after God and to love Him with all that is in you. Give Him your best and give Him your all!
