Scripture:
II Timothy 4:1-5 NKJV
[1] 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: [2] Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. [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; [4] and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. [5] But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
Observation:
I seem to like writing over this particular portion of scripture. Perhaps it’s because I feel like Jesus is coming back soon, or maybe it’s because the word of GOD is designed to mold us and shape us to be more like Jesus. Either way, what Paul is telling young Timothy is to be ready to preach at any given time. I believe what that means is to stay sharp and be in GOD’S word regularly. Searching for truth. Paul has charged young Timothy before Christ HIMSELF to convince, rebuke, and exhort those around him by using the word of GOD. This instruction does not say anything about tickling their ears intact, which doesn’t come into this portion of scripture until it is in the form of a warning in verse 3. Paul explains that there is a time coming when people will seek they sit under people who will tell them what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. He calls them ear ticklers, those who pick out the fluffy parts of the bible and never say anything that could offend. In verse 5, Paul tells young Timothy to do what he is called to do. Timothy was called to speak the truth. The problem with that is that you don’t always gain friends and build a congregation that way. So endurance was going to be a necessity, and suffering was going to be a part of that. Keeping his eyes open and watching the times as they unfold would help this young evangelist fulfill his calling. He may have to watch his church shrink, and he may not like it, but the truth in GOD’S word had to be spoken. At the beginning of this scripture in verse 1, Paul lays out another warning by charging young Timothy before Jesus Christ. What is being said is, Jesus, the one who sees all and knows all, is paying attention. Therefore, you have one responsibility… preach the word… don’t tickle their ears. Tell the truth not with condemnation but in a way that will set them free from the bondage of sin.
Application:
There is a truth inside GOD’S word that a lot of us don’t want to hear. I know because I myself didn’t want to hear it and for a long time wanted to live an unchanged life while gaining all the benefits of the promised land. When I think about that time in my life, I think about all the people who love me enough to tell me the truth. I also think about how I would element them. Because I didn’t really want to hear what they had to say. That is one of the things that has changed in my life. I no longer try to element people who tell me the truth. When this walk of mine started, I was sitting under an ear tickler. That worked to get my walk started, but it would not keep my feet firmly on the narrow road. The Bible tells us that wide is the road that leads to destruction, and many will find it, but narrow is the road that leads to life, and few will find it. For myself, I don’t want my ears tickled. I want my life to be operated on like Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 says, the word of GOD is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart. GOD’S word is made to change us, not leave us on the wide path. It’s designed to slowly guide our feet to the narrow road. I’m not sure I know anyone who really wants to go to hell. In fact, that’s why those who don’t want to change their lives deny the fact that GOD exists because they want to believe they can live however they want with no consequences. I told myself that when all this started, I would not be the one to tickle ears.mak8ng Jesus the LORD of your life is tge beginning of it all letting HIS words guide your feet to tge narrow path is how the process continues. Do not be deceived. GOD will not be mocked whatsoever a man sows, and that shall he also reap. GOD’S plan for redemption includes sanctification. That’s the process of guidance to the narrow road. The longer I walk with GOD, the narrower the path gets.
Prayer:
Father, we want your word to change our lives. We are not looking to hear what feels good. We want what is good. We ask you today to help us to hear the truth that you have for us. We want what you want for us. We do not want to be decived or to think that we are on the right path all the while we are heading for destruction.do not put ear ticklers in front of us but instead put those who well speak the truth in love and help us to correct our course. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.