In Untwisting Scriptures Book 6, I devote a chapter to the question “Should You Love Yourself?”
In it, I present the arguments for and against love of self.
Here’s the primary Scriptures used in the argument against, 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
But understand this, that in the last days
there will come times of difficulty.
For people will be lovers of self,
lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.
Avoid such people.
In that chapter of the book, I was focusing only on “love of self,” so I didn’t really spend time on anything else in this very important passage.
Like those last two lines: “Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
But one reader wrote to me about those last two lines above, tying them in with the other insights of Book 6.
With her permission, I’m quoting her here.
Holding to the form of godliness is following the list-following, HARD way of living [HARD is an acronym I use in the first part of Book 6].
It’s a type of “godliness” that we accomplish in our own strength, by our own willpower, trying to follow interpretations of the Bible without the leading and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Denying Holy Spirit power is denying the TRANSFORMATIVE power.
In charismatic circles – at least the one I was in – this “power” was communicated as a dynamic power for signs and wonders. It was used to make it seem like we didn’t deny the power, because we believed in gifts, signs, wonders, and supernatural healing. (And implying that others who didn’t believe these things were denying the power of God.)
I’ve come to realize that this verse is addressing those who portray a form of godliness but deny the transformative power through God’s ability. . . . In context it’s absolutely talking about actions and character.
This friend told about a pastor who reportedly neglected his family for his “ministry,” saying that he needed to stay busy, to avoid falling back into his typical sins.
“That’s not the transformative power of Jesus,” she said. “That’s justifying workaholism to run from one thing and try to replace it with another. It’s trading one addiction for another.”
And that last line. Don’t miss the last line.
“’Avoid these people,’” she said, “is how the Lord desires to protect us.”
Avoid these people.
These people will often present as “godly” by some sort of definition.
In the charismatic world, it may be with “signs and wonders.”
In the Reformed world, it may be preaching with “unction” and excelling in scholarly debates.
In the fundamentalist world, it may be an amazing ability to jump through hoops and keep long lists of rules.
But they deny the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, they will do harm and bring destruction.
Avoid these people.
That isn’t “bitterness” or “lack of forgiveness” on your part.
That is wisdom and obedience.
*****
Go here to download your free Guide, How to Enjoy the Bible Again (when you’re ready) After Spiritual Abuse (without feeling guilty or getting triggered out of your mind). You’ll receive access to both print and audio versions of the Guide (audio read by me). I’m praying it will be helpful.
Go here to download your free audiobook of Untwisting Scriptures to Find Freedom and Joy in Jesus Christ: Book 6 Striving, Dying to Self, and Life. I pray that it will truly help you find more freedom and joy in Him!
