📖Scripture:
“For a time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires will surround themselves with a multitude of teachers to tell them exactly what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn away from the truth and will turn aside to fanciful stories.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4
🔎Examination:
When Paul warns Timothy about people with “itching ears,” he isn’t describing a harmless curiosity. He’s exposing a heart that craves lies over truth (2 Tim 4:3). This is not a neutral preference—it is rebellion against God, the same suppression of truth Paul condemns in Romans 1:18. Fallen hearts would rather be comforted by myths than confronted by Scripture. But God’s people are different. The elect are made new by the Spirit. We hunger for God’s Word the way newborns crave milk (John 17:17; 1 Pet 2:2). Truth isn’t a burden for the redeemed—it’s life, joy, and nourishment.
Scripture gives us a sobering pattern. The nation of Israel longed for Egypt’s pots of meat rather than trusting God’s manna (Exod 16:3). In the same way today, many turn from Christ—the true Bread from heaven—to spiritual junk food that soothes pride but starves the soul. False gospels are nothing new. Prosperity preachers promising “seed-faith” rewards, progressive deconstructionists dismantling Scripture, and self-appointed modern “apostles” in the NAR movement all offer affirmation without repentance, blessing without the cross. Paul calls such teaching demonic (1 Tim 4:1). It feels spiritual, but it cannot save. It cannot sanctify.
Paul uses the future tense—“it will happen”—but we see it now. Churches ordain unrepentant sinners, platforms celebrate self rather than Christ, and sermons offer self-help instead of Scripture. Many prefer TikTok theology over the voice of the Shepherd (John 10:27). This has always been the enemy’s tactic. Eve listened to the serpent. Israel listened to Baal’s prophets. Today, many listen to voices that baptize rebellion in religious language. Wherever truth is traded for comfort, the result is spiritual ruin. Those who reject sound doctrine stumble by God’s appointment (1 Pet 2:8).
The Church does not exist to negotiate truth with the culture. We exist to proclaim the excellencies of Christ (1 Pet 2:9). Genuine faith produces intolerance for false teaching—not from cold legalism, but from love for the Savior and zeal for His glory. The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the risen Christ in all of Scripture, and in His light every myth is unmasked as satanic deception.
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them. -Romans 1:32
To surround ourselves with voices that affirm us is to build with wood, hay, and straw—materials destined for fire (1 Cor 3:12). True believers gather under the preaching of the Word, grow in maturity, and offer their lives as worship (Eph 4:13; Rom 12:1). Where ears itch, counterfeit christianities thrive. Where the Holy Spirit regenerates hearts, truth is craved—even when it pierces, convicts, and transforms.
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” -Acts 2:38
🤺Action:
Examine what voices you platform; test if they are truly from God's WORD or are they from deceitful spirits, as the teachings of demons to affirm sinful desires. Godly conviction causes people to respond as they did in Acts 2:38
Read 2 Timothy 4:1-5 and 1 Timothy 4:1-2; underline every warning about false teaching.
Are you growing in the faith and knowledge of God's Son in biblical community as a faithful and devoted member of Christ's Body & Bride? Are you truly gathering with Christ in the way that He has ordained, or doing whatever you see fit to do in your own eyes?
🧠Reflection:
The Holy Spirit regenerates ears to hear the Shepherd, not the hireling. Let Him reveal whether your cravings build Christ’s house or your own myth.
Click the following link for a short video version of today's post:
Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
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