2 Timothy 4:3
“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,”
Dwell:
Sound teaching is essential because "itching ears" are inevitable. As we grow older and mature, our worldview and beliefs become more deeply ingrained in our hearts and minds. It is very difficult for someone to admit that their perspective is wrong. Because this is so challenging, we tend to avoid correction or rebuke and prefer to hear things that validate our actions and beliefs. Consequently, we may start attending churches and listening to pastors who have completely abandoned the Word of God.
Sound teaching will always lead to worship. In other words, good theology always leads to good doxology. If we are involved with pastors and churches that emphasize human wisdom and life skills over biblical teaching, our worship will suffer. Show me someone who does not value sound doctrine, and I’ll show you someone whose life is marked by a lack of obedience and true worship. Why is sound teaching so important? Because sound teaching is rooted in the Gospel, and the Gospel has the power to transform lives.
Thought:
“The mark of the false prophet or teacher is self-serving unfaithfulness to God and His truth. It may be that he says what he shouldn’t; but it is far more likely that he will err by failing to say what he should. He will gloss over all the tough questions and issues as did the false prophets in the Old Testament who went around saying, "Peace, peace," when there was no peace (Jer. 6:14). They wouldn’t speak the tough word calling for repentance nor suggest that Israel was out of sorts spiritually. Instead they brought groundless comfort, lulling people into a false sense of security so that their hearers were totally unprepared for the judgment which eventually came on them. There are teachers in the church today who never speak of repentance, self-denial, the call to be relatively poor for the Lord’s sake, or any other demanding aspect of discipleship. Naturally they are popular and approved, but for all that, they are false prophets. We will know such people by their fruits. Look at the people to whom they have ministered. Do these folks really know and love the Lord? Are they prepared to take risks, even hazard their lives, for Jesus? Or are they comfortable, inactive, and complacent? If so, they are self-deceived, and those who have irresponsibly encouraged their self-deception will have to answer for it. Anyone who is in a position of spiritual leadership who fails to teach the more demanding, less comfortable, “narrow gate” and “rough road” side of discipleship becomes a false prophet.” - J.I. Packer
Prayer:
Father, let us be men and women of Your Word. Help us to hold fast to the doctrines of Scripture. In a culture hyper-focused on emotionalism and behavior modification, let us stand strong with our feet planted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You alone can transform us. Help us to seek out sound teaching and connect with a community that will always love us with true biblical love.
In Christ, Amen.