Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(2Ti 3:1) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,…”  “Holy”: a thing or action that has been given to God or the heart or mind that has been consecrated to God. The Lord receives a lot of lip service by those who go right on holding to their own thoughts and beliefs. That…..is not holiness. Holiness begins with the heart (the very seat of your emotions, your will) and in your mind, “….bringing every thought into the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor 10:5).  

(2Ti 3:1) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,….”  It is easy to see this among the lost, for they receive of the Lord’s goodness and yet refuse to love Him, living for Him. Yet I say to you, this is a sin common to the saved, including myself. How often to we complain about this or that without considering our limited knowledge of God’s plan and purpose for everything: (1Th_5:18) “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”?

(2Ti 3:1) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,….”  “Disobedient to parents”: in other words, the parents will not really have any control, thus influence, in the raising of their child. By the way, that carries over into our Christian life. If we did not obey our parents, we will have an awful time trying to bring ourselves under obedience to God. This is why so many will not attend Bible Believing, Bible obeying churches that teach “obedience to God”.

(2Ti 3:1) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,…”  To blaspheme God is not simply to curse Him. It is to doubt Him, His existence, His goodness, His faithfulness, His truth revealed; it is to make Him someone of which He is not – a god of the imagination rather than that which agrees with the revelation of Himself. Have you blasphemed Him?

 (2Ti 3:1) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,…” Pride comes from a distorted view of self before God. God hates it. It is so prevalent in man that we use the word in speech as if it is a good and right thing. It is never used as such in Scripture. It certainly goes against “esteem other better than themselves.” (Phil 2:3).

(2Ti 3:1) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,…”  A boaster has a need for others to think well of him. This action reveals his heart is fixed on the wrong venue. It is God of Whom we should seek approval, not man. Let man praise man; let God’s people praise Him and Him alone, seeking no praise for self.

 (2Ti 3:1) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,….”  “Covetous”: the desire for another “thing” we do not have. Believers today have turned a deaf ear to Jesus’ Words, “….for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt 6:21). We love this life and fight to stay in it as was once said to me, “I am ready to go but in no hurry to get there.” 

(2Ti 3:1)  “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves,…” Sadly, the evidence of this being the Last Days is even seen among God’s people. We love ourselves so much that we come before faithfulness to the Lord. Many appear for morning services, but few for the other services. Why? They love self more than they are devoted to Him. Will your excuse “hold water” when given to Jesus some day?

(2Ti 3:1) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2)  For men shall be…..” followed by a list of man’s inner corrupt thoughts that lead to action. Note that the it is the Believer that will be in peril. The more the contrast of our light (righteous words and acts) to those of darkness (the things listed), the more darkness will strike out at light (Jn 3:20; 15:19). Just think of the reward of faith and stand strong!