Itching Ears and Unsound Doctrine

So I got this off an email from a friend and I wanted to share it with you. It provokes some thought.


2 Tim 4:3-4
3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. NIV

I read a few days ago that a group of leaders from one of the major church groupings in Britain had published “a teaching document instructing the faithful that some parts of the Bible are not actually true.” When I read this, the warning of Paul (above) came to my mind. The great apostasy, or “falling away,” foretold by Paul (1 Tim 4:1) is already happening. And sadly, many church leaders themselves are fuelling it. They have stood in their pulpits and denied the message of salvation through Christ alone, they have dismissed the miracles of God, they have cast doubts on His divinity, and attacked the Gospel as too exclusive, harsh or hurtful. They have blessed what God has already condemned (e.g. gay marriage) and called good evil, and evil good. Christ has been wounded by His friends; betrayed by those who call Him Lord.

One study done of a denomination in Britain found that the laity had more faith than the clergy when it came to fundamental doctrines of the Bible! With so much doubt and unbelief emanating from the pulpits these days, how long can faith survive? Jesus, when He spoke about the end times, wondered, “when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Lk 18:8)

These church leaders with itching ears also insist that we have to look at the Bible in contemporary terms. What they really mean is that we should lower the bar on sin and immorality, on personal accountability, to adapt to today’s culture. What they want is a gospel that promotes accommodation and compromise, a politically correct gospel that is inclusive, that does not confront sin, that offends none, that demands little. This is really a form of rebellion against God no less than that of Jannes and Jambres (2 Tim 3:8). A man who has suffered much for his faith, said recently, that we need to be “Jesus-correct rather than politically correct.”

I draw your attention to all this because it is becoming more and more crucial for believers to seek and know God for themselves, and to understand His Word. Our faith must never be dependent upon what our pastor or priest thinks, or what common culture demands. It must be based upon the Bible, and a living relationship with Jesus Christ Himself. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, and we must learn to learn from Him. Believers who do not have this foundation are going to find their faith challenged and undermined; and many will be drawn away.

In 2 Tim 3:16-17 Paul says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.…” That means that every word of Scripture is inspired by God; it is an everlasting testimony of God’s will and purpose for all mankind, for all eternity. It is unchanging and immutable. Nothing can be added to it or taken away from it. It is the only foundation upon which faith in Jesus Christ can be built. What you believe about the Bible will determine the nature of your faith, whether you will stand strong, or be tossed about on the waters of convenience and passing fancy. It is a serious thing; so think carefully about it. Decide where you will stand. This is not about disrespecting our pastors and church leaders; it is about putting the Word of God, that is contained in the Bible, above everything else.

In Jesus day, the scholars and religious leaders thought they were wise and clever with their interpretations and scholarship, but they missed the Messiah when He came. They claimed to understand the Word of God, but missed the God of the Word! Let us not make the same mistake again. Remember, Jesus said, “He who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matt 24:13).

Jesus loves you. Have a great day.