Steadfast
Children now love luxury. They have bad manners and contempt for authority; they disrespect elders and prefer chatter to exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannise their teachers.
The above quote sounds like it came from our time. However, it is commonly attributed to Socrates, over 300 years before Christ. Paul described something similar: people who love only themselves, hurt others, hate God, and possess seemingly every negative trait he could name (2 Timothy 3:2-4).
The point isn’t that every generation is spiralling downward, but that there always have been, and always will be, people who pursue selfish lifestyles. That lifestyle leads to terrible, dangerous times (2 Timothy 3:1). As Christians, it’s our calling to remain steadfast amid pressure to conform and choose to love God instead.
It seems unfair to require a choice between loving ourselves and loving God. Even people who want to love God retain some love for themselves. That may be true, but we can still choose whom to prioritise, and that choice shapes our lives. Selfish living leads to negative behaviours that God opposes. Selfish people end up hating God for opposing them, and hating God leads to abusing other people and destroying relationships. It’s a terrible experience for everyone involved.
But there are ways for believers to withstand our narcissistic culture. Firstly, surround yourself with faithful mentors. They may not be perfect, but they can still inspire, guide, and encourage you (2 Timothy 3:10-13). Also, study Scripture deeply (2 Timothy 3:15-17). It isn’t an outdated, old book; it’s the Word of God, revealing who He is, how He thinks, and how we can live for Him. More importantly, the Bible teaches us how we fall away from God and how we can return to Him through Jesus Christ.
One day, Christ will return to wipe away the narcissism permeating this world. In the meantime, be steadfast, choose God over yourself, and prepare for His glorious day.
You can watch the full sermon here.
