¹But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. ²For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy …

Depressing days are ahead? As positive as the new life in Christ is, through the light of the gospel, we must be sober in seeing things as they are. This doesn’t take much observation power to verify, but the apostle Paul delineates the problems as a reminder to Timothy. And they all have to do with people—not just the individuals mentioned in these letters, but more will come. We must ever be vigilant, on our guard. This reminder is reminiscent of Paul’s farewell talk with the Ephesian elders (remember Timothy was serving at Ephesus when Paul wrote this letter to him). Paul did not mince words:

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” (Acts 20:28–30)

What does Paul mean by “in the last days”? Some teach that this refers to the end-time tribulation, while others say it indicates the time period that began with Christ’s resurrection, during which His return is imminently expected. What we do know is that simple observations prove that the time is now! Today we see this characterization of errant teachings quite blatantly. Regarding the time to which this refers, as the proverb goes, if the shoe fits, wear it. What will increasingly cause difficulty in the future and into the end-time events of prophecy, undoubtedly began to happen in Timothy’s time and continues into our time as well. We should take note and guard against that.

The descriptive list is sobering, beginning with “lovers of self.” What a contrast with what the Lord said are the two greatest commands, to love God “with all your heart, and with all your soul and will all your mind, and with all your strength” and then to love your neighbor in the same way (Mark 12:30)! The primary position of godliness has been replaced with self-centeredness. This seems to be the root of the characteristics that follow. Why else would someone love money except for self-benefit? Boastful and arrogant are easy to see as narcissistic traits. James says people fight (James 4:1–3). When reading a list like this, one cannot help asking the question, “Lord, is it I?”

Lord, reveal the hidden self-centeredness of my heart, that I may love You more.