How Itchy are your ears?

In these last days, we have to be very careful who we listen to, who we learn from, and who we follow. I can not stress enough the importance of personal Bible study; we have to get alone with our Bibles and read them. I also believe, especially in this time, we must pray, particularly for discernment for the things we see and the things we hear, and the things we read. The Bible teaches us to “be still and know.” In Matthew 7:21-23, we find that there are people following Jesus who are just along for the free meals and to be a part of the miracles, but Jesus knew who those people were, and He said to them, “depart from me for I never knew you.” Over the last three years, I have seen a move in society to find teachers or gurus, spiritual guides, or so-called experts, whatever you want to call them, for understanding what is going on in the world. I get it… people are or were scared; they went through a global “pandemic” that included shutdowns, lockdowns, and school closures. Now we are beginning to see hate and divisiveness rise up. These behaviors should not be a surprise to us.

Nonetheless, people are searching, and in their search, we see what Paul warned Timothy about in 2Timothy 4:3 “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.”  The problem we face now is that everyone is right and everyone is wrong simultaneously. Therefore, I believe we would all do well to embrace Hebrews 13:8-9 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.” You see, I am not so interested that you follow me; instead, utilize the information that I give you as a springboard to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Do your own homework! Listen, I completely understand that I do not always get it right, but iron sharpens iron, and we can grow together as we follow Jesus, Believe in Him, and follow His promise. God Bless. Keith Hack

2 Timothy 4: 1-5 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3For 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; 4and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.