READ 2 Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4:3-4, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

We are living in a time when not only the world has turned its back on the truth, but as the context of these verses reveals, many churches have turned their back on the truth.

Sound doctrine isn’t easy to find in this day and age. But rather what has happened is those who profess Christianity have “…after their own lusts…” heaped “…to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”  Dr. David Sorenson, in his commentary, Understanding the Bible, states on page 642, “they would collect to themselves teachers who would present things accommodating their own desires and interests. In this context, the phrase translated as having itching ears (knêthomenoi tên akoên) actually can have the thought of teachers who scratch their itching ears. The thought is of ears wishing to be accommodated by preachers who satisfy them in scratching their itch.”

Preachers need to preach the Word (vs. 2).  Preachers need to watch in all things (vs. 5).  Preachers need to be willing to endure affliction – the cost for preaching the truth (vs. 5) And preachers need to do the work of an evangelist (vs. 5).

I trust that you attend a Bible-preaching church, one that raises up the banner of truth no matter how unpopular it may be in this present world.  If you don’t have such a church, you need to go find one and support it with all that you can.

Truth or fables – the choice is yours.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  How have many churches turned their back on the truth?

2.  What does it mean for people to have itching ears?

3.  Do you find yourself sometimes chaffing at the truth?  When?

4.  According to 2 Timothy 4:2 & 5, what do preachers need to do?