Itchy Ears

Dec. 27

Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Itchy Ears

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” - 4:3

Everyone likes to hear that they are right. Sociologist call this “confirmation bias”. We have a bent towards hearing what we want to hear. We tune in to stations that says what we want them to say. We watch shows with hosts who tell us what we want to hear. We have an internet that is now manipulated and controlled to capitalize on this very tendency within us… leading us into an ever deepening echo chamber. This is not new; it is human nature. The scriptures saw this coming a mile away!

The people of God are not exempt from this phenomenon. As sad as it is to admit, an alarming amount of corrupted teaching has made its way into the pulpits of churches across the nation. We find ourselves in a place not much different then Timothy some 2000 years ago. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching…” - that time is here and now. I am afraid we have a bad case of “itchy ears”. We are “accumulating for ourselves teachers that suit our own passions”. None of us are exempt though. We think we are, but we are not.

This is why it is CRUCIAL that we read the word of God together and study the scriptures in community. This is the one TRUE antidote to “itchy ears” syndrome. This is why Paul commends Timothy: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (v.1,2) This is some very strong language… “I CHARGE you”. We are in a day and age where we need each other to be willing to share the scriptures with one another so that we do not fall victim to our OWN echo chamber mentalities. Even reading the bible by ourselves is not enough. Why? Because we READ with a confirmation bias as well. When was the last time the scriptures challenged your thoughts, heart, and changed your mind? When was the last time you were SURPRISED by what the bible had to say? If the answer is rarely or never… then you are reading through your own sort of “lens” and you don’t even know it. What is the result of earnest bible preaching and teaching? “reprove, rebuke, exhort, and patiently teach.” None of these is easy - but they are GOOD. We need to take this journey together. This is the “priesthood” of all believers - our ministering to one another and prayerfully studying the word together.

This doesn’t happen when we “outsource” our theology, study of the word of God, worship, prayers, or relationship with Christ. It is easier to “latch on” to one denomination, or pastor, or organization, or podcast, or whatever else it is as opposed to opening up in community, seeking the Lord alongside one another, and welcoming the “reproving, rebuking, exhorting, and patient teaching” that is needed. In addition, these organizations are easily corrupted…It is sad but true. This is how we “turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

This is not a political message or one designed to “pick a fight”. As we approach the upcoming new year, I felt led to encourage us as God’s people towards a renewed desire to move towards Christ in community. I want spiritual conversation to be as prevalent as our discussion of the news and the past weeks sports scores. I want us to be open to the refining work of Christ in us as we approach a new year. We owe it to the pastors in the pulpits to be critical listeners… to know enough of Gods word to identify what is not right. When we are sharing in community with those around us - we are opening ourselves up to correction and rebuke. I WANT that. I love it when people “push back” on the devotions! I love it when we sit around the dinner table and take about God’s word… and about what the Lord is working on in us. This is how we keep one another from “wandering away”… this is how we prevent that “itchy ear syndrome” from kicking in! Bible study is a COMMUNITY effort. Theology is for ALL of God’s people. You are all THEOLOGIANS and SCHOLARS. We take this journey together alongside one another. When it remains in a vacuum it is too easy to be corrupted! More to come. Love you guys. - JDP