Itching Ears

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

 --2 Timothy 4:3-5  (NKJV)

From the daily Bible reading on September 18, 2013 of Proverbs 6:1-5; 2 Timothy 4; Song of Solomon 7-Isaiah 1.

In his final letter (please see "Soldiering On"), in effect his spiritual last will and testament, Paul leaves his beloved friend Timothy a little last-minute counsel and a plea to come to him quickly. He concludes with a short status report on some of his supporters and their mutual friends, and warns him about those who have caused trouble and harm in the past and are likely to do so again in the future. Paul's desire to see his young associate one more time before his death is clearly evident. Paul implores Timothy to, "Be diligent to come to me quickly" (verse 9), "Get Mark and bring him with you" (verse 11), "Bring the cloak... and the books, especially the parchments" (verse 13), and finally, "come before winter" (verse 21). Paul urgently wanted to see Timothy , asking him to collect and bring along their former traveling companion and some personal belongings, perhaps as an added incentive to visit. His last request is most poignant, for he knew he would not be alive when Timothy arrived if the young man delayed. Whether Timothy was able to make that final visit in time is unknown today.

Before these final, more personal comments, Paul urges Timothy to always be prepared to preach the Gospel, even if on only a moment's notice, now while the people might listen. He cautions that as time progresses toward the end of the age, that the people will become less and less interested in hearing the teaching of true and sound doctrine, but instead will seek out those who will tell them what they want to hear. They will fill their churches with preachers who will salve their spirits, will condone nearly any action under the umbrella of God's all encompassing love, will look the other way when confronted with a member's continuing sin because they themselves may be guilty of unrepentant sin. The people would rather hear fables and lies that support their choices in life rather than be convicted by the truth and led to repentance.

Paul may have noted the seed of this behavior planted in his time, but we are harvesting the fruits in our current age. Actions and lifestyles clearly cited in our Holy Bible as sinful in the sight of God are being ignored, condoned, or even practiced by those standing in the pulpits of many churches today. Yes, God loves us all and doesn't want to see any of us damned. That is exactly why He sent His Son, that we might be saved. But to be just, He must reward the righteous and punish the wicked, as He has repeatedly said He would and as He has shown throughout history. Paul warned that one of the greatest dangers facing the church is false doctrine, false teachings. Having someone preach it from the pulpit just to assuage our conscience doesn't make it right, or true.

So what are we to do? Paul instructs we stick to the truth and be prepared to suffer persecution for it, to speak the Good News of Jesus at every opportunity, and to fulfill our own personal ministry. Each of us has a testimony we can share, and God has given each of us some gift to use in this sharing. We need to find our ministry and fulfill it. Give voice and ear to the truth. Amen.

O Father in heaven, too many times we would rather hear excuses that allow our chosen behavior, ignoring the truth that Your Word and Your Spirit speak to us. Help us, Father, to discern the truth in a world filled with false teachers and wrong doctrine. Let us come quickly to Jesus before the winter of our lives settles in. In the most glorious name of Jesus our Savior we pray. Amen.