2 TIMOTHY 3:2-4 "FOR MEN SHALL BE . . .

Why are the last days going to be so perilous and difficult (2 Tim. 3:1)? Is it because the government is so bad? Is it because our rulers and leaders are so bad? Is it because Russia or Iraq or China or North Korea or some other country is so bad? Men always try to blame someone or something else for the difficult days we live in, but the real reason is found in 2 Timothy 3:2-4. Why are the last days so difficult and hard? It is because of sinful, selfish men and women!

Look around; does this not describe the world today? Look up; man's character caused Noah's flood, and today, man's character will be exactly like theirs when Christ returns (Gen. 6:5; Matt. 24:37-39)!

1. lovers of themselves--selfish, self-centered, seeking to please self
   
2. covetous--lovers of money, greedy, worshiping the dollar bill
   
3. boasters--those who love to brag about themselves and about what they are going to do
   
4. proud--a person who considers himself above others and tries to lift himself above others, even if it means stepping on others
   
5. blasphemers--those who speak against God, and drag His good Name into the mud, and speak of God in an irreverent way
   
6. disobedient to parents--those who do not obey or honor their parents, those who are rebellious in the home
   
7. unthankful--ungrateful, not appreciating all the blessings received, not thankful for all of God’s goodness (Rom. 1:21)
   
8. unholy--no respect for anything that is sacred
   
9. without natural affection--without that love and affection that should be shown in the family (the love that a mother has for her child, that a father has for his son, or that a young person should have for his brother or sister or parents)
   
10. truce breakers--those who refuse to make peace, who would rather be at war with you, who would rather be your enemy than your friend
    
11. false accusers--those who say false things about a person
    
12. incontinent--not having self control
    
13. fierce--savage, brutal, untamed like a wild animal
    
14. despisers of that which is good--no love for what is good and right
    
15. traitors--one who betrays another (like Judas), pretends to be your friend but later he lets you down and is not your friend at all
    
16. heady--those who do things in a hasty way without much thinking; they will act first and think later
    
17. high minded--puffed up, swollen with pride, conceited
    
18. lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God--pleasure seekers rather than God-seekers