Itching Ears — A LifeWords Devotion

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. (NLT)

Church attendance is rather patchy: a few churches are growing, others declining, yet others are stagnant. Church leaders spend much time and energy on trying to get people into the door and then have them become followers of Jesus. It is hard work.

But any such leader could bring quite a few people into the building if they offered certain things. Come to our church and your love life will be fulfilling, your health will be as it should be, you will be rich and popular and successful. Full house!

Through the ages, those who speak the Christian message always risk distorting it to fit the wishes and desires of people. They risk adapting it to contemporary culture in such a way as to change the essence of the message. Of course we don’t go to the other extreme and aim to be unpopular or dismiss our culture. But we are not out to please the masses. We are out to speak the truth in love.

This also applies to those times we share our faith with individuals. Trying too hard to make it palatable and popular may mean we have shared a watered-down faith. Jesus didn’t make such mistakes, nor should we. Lots of people might have itching ears, but it is not our task to scratch them!