They are also characterized as being "blasphemers," spewing forth every kind of evil speaking, even against God, and is prevalent and widespread. When we speak evil of others we are speaking evil against God for they are made in God's image and likeness. (James 3: 9-10)
Such perilous times are also described by people being "disobedient to parents," and "without natural affection," and rebellious to all authority, which is an example of people doing what is right in their own eyes and who have no moral compass.
Paul also describes the persons of those perilous times as being "unthankful," and why? Is it not because they feel like they are owed or deserve what they have? He says in those times people will be generally "unholy," morally filthy, irreverent, and will be "trucebreakers," people who cannot keep their word or covenants, being dishonest, "traitors," deceitful, and "false accusers." Think of all the divorces! Think of how many people are calling so many people "racists" unjustly!
Paul says times will be perilous because people are, with few exceptions, "incontinent," without self control, and who are "fierce" people, acting wild and crazy, being also "despisers of those that are good," and actually "calling good evil and evil good" (Isaiah 5: 20), a horrible state of existence! Paul then concludes by saying people will be "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God." (verses 2-4)
These prophesied "perilous times" are described in this way:
"In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." (Judges 17: 6 kjv)
"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." (21: 25 kjv)
Is this not what we see today? There are several reasons for it too. Was it not in the days of the Judges because there was no one, no legal authority, to prevent people from doing anything and everything? We see how today there are those who want to do away with the police or any government agency that keeps people from "doing their own thing." In the above texts we see how it was because there was "no king" or restraining authority that people did whatever they wanted without any restraint or consequences. Did you know that when I was born in 1955 that adultery was illegal? That homosexuality was also illegal? That businesses had to close on Sunday? That children in school said the pledge of allegiance and were led in prayer by their teachers?
LORD God had commanded the people to not do what they thought was right in their own eyes, but were to be governed by the law of God. So we read:
"Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes." (Deut. 12: 8 kjv)
"And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee." (Exo. 15: 26; See also Deut. 6: 18; 12: 25,28; 21: 9)
Today’s philosophy disregards this instruction and says “if it feels right, then do it” or “you be you” or “do our own thing.” It is moral subjectivism metastasized or on steroids. People say to their parents, to the authorities, yea, even to God -- "Who are you to tell me what not to do?"
Solomon said: "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts." (Prov. 21: 2 nkjv) He also said: "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." (Prov. 14: 12 nkjv)
What people need is a desire for truth and a method for finding it. As for religious and moral truth, it must come from our Creator, from the God of the bible. In Isaiah chapter twenty eight there are people who are said to "have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves." (28: 15 nkjv) I wrote about this phenomenon in these posts (here and here). Many people today do not want the truth. They had rather put their trust in lies. As some say in romance, "tell me pretty lies," so do people say that about religious truth.
People also don't want anyone to challenge their beliefs, to upset the apple cart of their beliefs. Yet, they need the very thing they resist. Said Solomon again: "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him." (Prov. 18: 17 kjv) Lately I have been watching numerous videos of a young man named Luke who is a street preacher and a very able apologist for the Christian faith. He often engages people about religious belief, and has battled atheists, Muslims, etc., and issues such as abortion. You can go to this YouTube page (here) to see his many videos. When you watch the interaction he has with people you will see how he is often dealing with people who are comfortable doing what is right in their own eyes and who don't want people showing them their errors or their sins. No one likes to admit he is wrong. That is a sad state of affairs.
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