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.” II Timothy 4:3

You may know that the Bible addresses many things, yet not know that the apostle Paul talked with his protege, Timothy, about itchy ear syndrome. And, no–it had nothing to do with fungus! What was happening in Ephesus, where Timothy was pastoring, was a cultural shift away from any form of objective truth. The Ephesian philosophical landscape was characterized by a freedom to determine truth and error, right and wrong on a personal and subjective level. This philosophy, rampant in secular society, was beginning to infiltrate the church. What Paul anticipated, and in turn, warned Timothy about was a time when the church would turn away from “sound” (literally: healthy) teaching and look for people who would tell them what they wanted to hear.

Does any of this sound familiar? The world around us has long since given up on the existence of a standard of truth to which we should all adhere. Instead, from elementary school, children are encouraged to do their own thing, make their own way and live in whatever manner feels right (“to suit their own passions”). This has begun to affect the church at large. Areas of Scriptural truth that have been accepted, believed, trusted and lived for centuries are suddenly not relevant. Lifestyles and behaviors which God clearly calls sin are now seen as acceptable. As Christ-followers, we must pay close heed to the truth (II Timothy 3:15), and pastors and teachers must preach the Word (4:2). The world we live in is constantly changing, but God’s truth is eternal (Isaiah 40:8).

-Pastor Mike