When people misdirect their love—toward themselves and money—there can be no love left to direct toward others. Moral corruption naturally results. The extent of moral degeneration can be seen in the rejection of the most intimate human ties with many blatantly disobedient to their parents. This behavior willfully breaks the fifth commandment to honor one’s father and mother (see Exodus 20:12).
The commandment was given because God understood the importance of strong families. To “honor” parents means speaking well of them and politely to them. It also means acting in a way that shows them courtesy and respect. People are in a sad state when they are ungrateful and cannot appreciate anything. In Romans 1:21, Paul noted that ingratitude was second only to dishonoring God as a just cause for God’s judgment on humanity. This leads them to consider nothing sacred. People who set aside God in order to live only to please themselves can only go one direction—toward wickedness. They instinctively resist anyone or any ideas that would force them to measure themselves by God’s standards.
People will be unloving. The same word is used in only one other place in the New Testament (Romans 1:31), in a passage where Paul listed the characteristics of people who refuse God and follow their own inclinations. Indeed, because these people love only themselves and their money (possessions), as Paul noted in verse 2, they are unloving toward everyone and everything else.
Unforgiving people cannot allow for other people’s mistakes or weaknesses. They are unyielding, unrelenting, and often are filled with extreme bitterness and anger over their own hurts. They simply refuse to forgive, even if presented with the opportunity. Eventually, they become unable to forgive, even when they might acknowledge the need to do so.
People who slander others are quick to spread falsehoods. Slanderers enjoy spreading gossip and malicious reports about others. Destroying another’s good reputation gives them perverse pleasure. Without self-control, they cannot restrain their actions, their feelings, or their words.Cruel people (“brutes”) are like untamed animals, or “uncivilized” people. They are insensitive and crude, even savage. People will be so evil that they actually have no interest in what is good.
To betray one’s friends is to be treacherous. In some cases, betrayal of another might enhance a person’s standing or enrich him or her; at other times, the betrayal could be a vengeful act. Combined with slander (3:3), truth goes by the wayside.
Being reckless can also be translated “headstrong” and “rash.” Such people act foolishly and carelessly, completely unconcerned about the consequences for themselves or others. They are determined to have their own way, regardless of advice to the contrary.
Often these evil characteristics appear in a context of respectability. Religion is not gone; in fact, these character qualities are frequently exhibited by people known for their “religiousness.” However, as Paul wrote, they act as if they are religious, using godliness as a cloak of respectability. But they will reject the power that could make them godly, denying God’s power over their lives. The “act” could include going to church, knowing Christian doctrine, using Christian clichés, and following a community’s Christian traditions. Such practices can make a person outwardly look good, but if the inner attitudes of belief, love, and worship are lacking, the public appearance is hollow, meaningless.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)
Evalute yourself today on the things mentioned in today's passage.
2 Timothy 3:2-5 (MSG)
As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people.
Is there any trace of these negative traits in your life? What will you do about it?
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