A Time when Men Become Lovers of Themselves: EASTER 2026
Scripture Reference: ;
We are living in an era that can only be described as the last days. It is a time of incredible paradox. On one hand, we see a tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit and grace much more abounding. On the other hand, we witness a profound misunderstanding and misapplication of the word "grace," a time when the church is increasingly turned into a mere social gathering.
We must be reminded of what the Lord and His apostles spoke concerning this period (). We do not need to look far to know that these prophecies are true; we only need to examine our own environments and sometimes our own hearts.
When we look at the universal church and what is happening in the world, it becomes obvious that many of us do not realize the time we are in (). It is one thing to preach about the end times, but it is another thing entirely to live with the consciousness of it. The apostles Peter and John also heavily warned us about the spiritual climate of these days (; ; ; ).
At the very root of this end-time spiritual decay is a specific condition of the human heart: "Men shall be lovers of their own selves" ().
Defining the "Lovers of Themselves"
The phrase "lovers of themselves" comes from the Greek word Philaautos. It describes a love of self that results in deep selfishness, narcissism, and self-consumption.
When a person is infected with this spirit, they become excessively self-centered, which leads to immediate moral and relational compromises. Even for a preacher, his ministry, his sermons, and his entire worldview begin to revolve entirely around himself. He focuses on personal gratification and self-interest rather than genuine love for God and his congregation.
It is no coincidence that being "lovers of their own selves" is the very first vice listed by Paul in . It is the root that produces all the other bitter fruits: covetousness, boasting, pride, and the detriment of others.
The love that comes from God is entirely different; it is not self-seeking (). What Satan has done in these last days is hijack the love and devotion that should be directed toward God and others, turning it inward so that man only loves himself.
Characteristics of a Self-Absorbed Generation
If you want to know if you or those around you are falling victim to this end-time spirit, ask yourself: Am I genuinely interested in the well-being of others? Here are the biblical characteristics of those who are lovers of themselves:
- The "What is in it for me?" Mentality: Their lives are wholly focused on personal benefit. They prioritize their own pleasures, ego, and desires over the needs of others (; ).
- An Entitlement Mentality: They believe they are inherently entitled to happiness and special treatment. Because of this, they are deeply unappreciative of anything you do for them.
- Driven by Immediate Desire: They make decisions based solely on what feels good or what serves their immediate desires, even if it hurts the people around them ().
- Transactional Relationships: They do not know how to love purely. They are manipulative, and they use their relationships and positions solely for personal gain.
- Spiritual Blindness and Arrogance: The god of this world has blinded them (). They lack empathy, cannot see their own selfishness, and behave with arrogance ().
- Seeking Validating Teachers: They do not want the truth; they want their ears tickled. They seek out teachers and preachers who will validate their personal desires and fleshly lifestyles ().
- Lovers of Pleasure: They prioritize personal entertainment, enjoyment, and pleasure over their moral and spiritual duties (; ).
- Covetousness: They seek their ultimate security through material things rather than in God. And when they fail to get what they want, they will boldly speak against God Himself.
The Dangers and Destructive Consequences
This spirit of Philaautos is a destroyer. It ruins individuals, homes, and churches.
1. The Destruction of Relationships
Lovers of themselves destroy marriages and relationships. Shockingly, this breaking of covenants is now found even among the "watchmen" and leaders in the church. Their love and affection are incredibly shallow, depending entirely on how others make them feel at any given moment, rather than being grounded in the unconditional love of Christ (). They destroy bonds through constant criticism—noticing only what others have done wrong—and a brutal inability to forgive.
2. A Total Lack of Self-Control
A lover of self has no boundaries. Like Samson, who looked at a Philistine woman and demanded, "Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well," they are driven by their impulses. A person without self-control is like a city with broken walls, totally defenseless against the enemy.
3. The Distortion of Values
When self-love takes the throne, values become twisted. We see this in the life of King David; prioritizing his own lust and desire led him into adultery, and to cover it up, he distorted his values so much that he committed murder. Sin always demands more sin.
4. Reversing God's Divine Order
Ultimately, this spirit reverses God's design. It places personal desires above divine order. It destroys the spirit of oneness and unity in the Body of Christ. Just as King Rehoboam's utter selfishness caused the kingdom to split with the cry, "To your tents, O Israel," self-centeredness today divides congregations and scatters the flock.
Conclusion: A Call for Transformation
In these days of "Christ-less Christianity"—a time of confessing Christ without a change of life, and following without truly following—we must return to the cross.
We must ask God to help us. True Christianity means becoming a reflection of that for which Jesus died. The believers in Antioch were called Christians because the people observed a great, undeniable transformation in their lives. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to do a deep work in our hearts, to cleanse us of selfishness, and to restore genuine love so that the world may know we are His disciples.