Itchy Ears

Oct. 14

Read: 2 Tim. 4:1-5

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.” (v.3,4)

The only check and balance against “wandering off into myths” and “turning away from listening to the truth” is the word of God… and Jesus is “the word”. (cf. John 1:1-) We need BOTH the scriptures (the word of God) and the instructions of Jesus through the Spirit (The Word of God) to avoid the pitfalls before us. (cf. John 16:13) The Spirit will point us to the scriptures and the scriptures will affirm the Spirit. We must have both.

The reality is that people do not naturally want to listen to the “truth”. They would much rather listen to someone who affirms what they already think or believe. This is why people respond so violently when their ideals or systems are challenged. No wonder the scriptures tell us that the message of Jesus and his death on the cross are “foolishness to those who are not being saved by it.” (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18,25) The message of Christ will never be “main stream”. This is why it is ridiculous when Christians get so excited about a believer becoming “famous” or rising to prominence… do we finally expect that world to embrace Jesus because of a star, singer, or politician? Of course we should celebrate when anyone comes to Christ, but I am afraid we place our hope at times in things that are simply not biblically true. The world’s systems of power and influence are different than those of God. (Read 1 Cor. 1 and 2 )

The wild thing is that these verses form Timothy seem to speak about Christians. These are words of warning not just for the world, but for the church itself. Christian hucksters and kooks abound. There is no shortage of people who will preach a message that “scratches the itch” of listening ears. The draw of amassing a “following” and pleasing them in an echo chamber is real. The only answer is The Word… in ALL of its fullness. I do believe that this passage leans more heavily towards the written word of God. But that written word requires the Spirit to be discerned and applied… so it requires BOTH. In the end, I see no short cuts for studying the scriptures and spending quiet time listening to the Lord’s voice as he applies and brings to life those scriptures in you.

Do not allow yourself to be hijacked. Spend some time with Christ and the scriptures today. Ask the Lord if you have become enamored with “smooth talkers” and “ear scratching” messages. He will “reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” just like Timothy is being told to! (v.2) Love you guys. - JDP