Misdirected Love

In 2 Timothy 3:1-5 we read, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power."

Paul refers to people who have misdirected love. He uses love in four ways in the passage, and only one is in harmony with God's will. In verse 2, he mentions, "lovers of themselves." Love most certainly can be given to wrong things. Love can destroy us when it isn't properly channeled.

Again, in verse 2, he lists, "lovers of money." Jesus taught about money and the proper attitude toward it. The rich young ruler of Matthew chapter 19 failed miserably. If we allow money to become too important in our lives, we too can be destroyed.

Furthermore, Paul mentioned, "lovers of pleasure." We live a "partying," "fun loving" world. People are always looking forward to the weekend. However, there is more to life than fun and games. "Weekending" is killing Christians. Many are spending more time and money on recreation and sports than on the Lord and His cause.

Finally, Paul speaks of "lovers of God." The first three types of love destroy real love for God. Idolatry is simply misdirected love, the love of the wrong thing. We should develop a strong lasting love of God above all others and all things. We should possess the love of Mark 12:30 where it says "and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength..." Where is your love directed today? Is it toward God and His work, or toward the things of this world?