Why Do People Focus On Loving Themselves?
Thanks for joining the Need-Hope.com podcast. In this episode, we hear how in the last days, people will be lovers of self and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Why, and what does this mean to us? You can listen to this podcast episode by clicking: Why Do People Focus On Loving Themselves?
Thanks for joining me at Need Hope.
I’m Chris Gray. And I’m so glad you’re here.
Where do you find HOPE?
Since the beginning of time, people have focused on loving and pleasing themselves. In a moment, we’ll hear about a determined 5-year-old boy who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. It’ll amaze you! Stay tuned.
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First, let’s listen to God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:1-5. I pray God speaks to our hearts.
“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”
Friend, notice how this passage starts off describing people in the last days as being lovers of self. And the last line emphasizes how people will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. We are told to stay away from folks like these.
The truth is, we’re all born with a me-first attitude. You don’t believe me? Watch any toddler grab toys from another kid. Everything is about me, me, me. Focusing on ourselves is inside all of us. This self-focused lifestyle is rebellion against God.
We not only seek out ways to please ourselves, but we get angry when others deny us those pleasures. Here’s a true story to illustrate this point.
Adrian, a determined 5-year-old boy, loved Lamborghinis. He wanted one badly. When he asked his mom if he could have a Lamborghini, she said, “No.” But Adrian wasn’t about to let the word “no” get in the way of fulfilling his pleasure of owning this exotic sportscar. He also wasn’t going to let the fact that he didn’t have a driver’s license stop him either.
One afternoon, while the babysitter took a nap, Adrian withdrew $3 from his piggy bank and grabbed the keys to the family’s SUV. Pulling the seat close to the steering wheel, he fired up the engine and took off for California. He lived in Utah.
Once Adrian was safely on Interstate 15, he had trouble staying in his lane and weaved all over the highway. By God’s grace, the kindergartner was pulled over by a state trooper on the Interstate. And thankfully, Adrian knew what a police car was and complied. Otherwise, this could have been a disaster.
Today’s Scripture tells us how people who are focused on loving themselves, are lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. There’s this ongoing need to experience pleasure at such an intense level, they crave more. It’s like an extremely addictive drug. Always searching out the next high. Never satisfied.
Now you might say, “I thought focusing on loving myself, enjoying life’s pleasures, and making sure others love me properly was good.”
Well, I used to think so too. Yet, nowhere in the Bible does God instruct us to love ourselves. Instead, God tells us to focus on loving Him and others.
In Matthew 7:12, Jesus addresses this issue: “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
This is the Golden Rule. So what prevents us from keeping it?
The problem is we’ve all inherited this sinful nature we call the “flesh.” It came from Adam—the first person God created. Since our flesh is ruled by sin, we can’t help but focus on ourselves all the time. So how do we change?
The answer is found in a new life available in Christ. This new life enables us to choose to deny our self-focused flesh. Then, with a heart motivated to glorify God, we’re able to obey Jesus. We can lovingly treat others the way we would want to be treated.
How do we get this new life? Through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone! Friend, we can’t be reminded enough of God’s amazing love. He rescued us.
Every single one of us are helpless sinners who deserve hell. Yet God lovingly delivers those who put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He died taking the judgment we deserve and then rose from the grave. His death allows us to be forgiven. If you want more information on how to have a relationship with Jesus, our website is Need-Hope.com
In summary, as followers of Jesus, we look different than the world. We are enabled to love all people, no matter how they treat us. Only when we focus on pleasing God and loving others will we deny our self-focused life. This truly is a fulfilled and joyful life in Christ that brings glory to God. Even if little Adrian’s dream of owning a Lamborghini came true, it still wouldn’t stop him or anyone else from seeking more pleasures to satisfy a need that only Christ can fill.
At the end of each day, consider answering these two questions:
How am I focusing on Jesus?
How am I focused on lovingly treating others the way I would want to be treated?
Think about it. Pray about it.
Until next time, look to Jesus.
And look to God’s Word for guaranteed hope.
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Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. www.Lockman.org