Our dear brother Tom is sharing again with us today. Thank you Tom for all you efforts. May God bless you.

Here is the text:

2 Timothy 3:4, "[People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,] treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God -- ..."
Interesting points:
1. In this verse Paul describes four more traits of evil people, as seen in the "last days"—meaning the era of the church, which continues through today.

2. The first trait is "treacherous", describing those who betray others for their own benefit. They actively work against the interests of people who believe they are their friends and allies. The second trait of the Wicked is their rash or reckless behavior which reveals their lack of wisdom and self-control.

3. The third trait is “conceited” and the original Greek word used literally means “to surround with smoke or mist”, signifying that the person is blinded by his/her own sense of self-worth. The last trait identified in this verse is “lovers or pleasure (hedonists) rather than lovers of God“. In fact, many refuse to turn away from their sinful pleasures then sacrifice everything to follow Christ.

Application.
Brothers, the New Testament often draws a distinction between the natural, sinful behaviors of man and the righteousness God calls us to as His adopted children.

Titus 3:3 reminds us that, "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another." Yet those who decide to follow God faithfully walk in the footsteps of Moses who Hebrews 11:25 tells us “… chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time."

Our time here on earth is short, but each of these traits is preceded by a choice to follow the crowd or a decision to endure ridicule, suffering and persecution in the footsteps of Christ. The one may buy us a short-lived sense of acceptance but the other guarantees an eternity in perfect communion with our Creator. Each and every day offers us this choice, so may we pick up our cross daily and encourage each other on the long and challenging path ahead of us!