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The Apostle Paul was persistent in his warnings to Christians regarding the many situations and pitfalls that would emerge to challenge our steadfastness and our focus on faithfully following the truth that has been provided for us in Scriptures. He knew that not only were those churches to whom he was writing directly in need of these admonitions, but also that the need for these admonitions would increase substantially for Christians in the end times in which we now live.
He also was well aware that the tendency would be for Christians to increasingly seek to find ways to diminish the responsibilities placed on us and shown by passages throughout Scripture. He was well aware that when Christians don’t like truth, they will often try to change it, or simply try to ignore it. But he also knew that neither belief nor unbelief changes Scriptural truth.
The Apostle Paul, who was in prison at the time, having been sentenced to be executed for his ministry, wrote what was to be his final letters to Timothy, his young associate, to encourage him concerning his pastoral responsibilities to the church at Ephesus. In his first letter he had given Timothy instructions, including how to combat false teachers in the church.
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul continued with his admonitions to Timothy, warning him of the tendency, or perhaps more accurately the predestination, for Christians to gravitate away from the truth of Scripture and toward what they consider an easier way. In II Timothy 4:3-4 he wrote:
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. NKJV
What Paul is describing is the current movement within the church community, because of their resistance toward restrictions and admonitions found in Scripture, to ignore or discard the truth therein and attempt to find a satisfactory substitute for the truth. Of course, in order to make this legitimate in their minds, they would need to seek for what they consider legitimate authorities in the ministry who are willing to deliver suitable diversions from the truth. To their satisfaction, there are plenty of such ministers who are willing to create entire ministries based on twisted theology that would satisfy those who desire such. There is fame and fortune to be gained by teaching people whatever they want to hear. And, unfortunately, there are many who desire such.
Therefore, the problem of “itching ears” has become epidemic and has led to the proliferation of ministers and ministries racing to fill the void and to profit by this investment. Having more regard for the financial profitability and fame to be gained by following this course, these ministers are more than willing to disregard or simply twist the truth found in Scripture and to take full advantage of those made gullible by their goal of avoiding the truth.
Not surprisingly, there are many who participate in “heaping up for themselves teachers” who willingly attempt to soften or even eliminate the effectiveness of the Scriptures. These teachers are well aware of their influence on those who fail to read and examine the Scriptures for themselves, instead relying on and trusting the knowledge and accuracy of the “teachers”. Meanwhile, the teachers are more than willing to exchange their legitimacy for whatever profit they obtain.
The result of this charade is that those who subject themselves to these teachers ultimately “turn their ears away from the truth and are turned aside to fables.” But, unlike the fables presented in popular novels and other such reading matter, the fables being presented by these teachers will serve to render them unfaithful in God’s eyes, as are those teachers who are leading them astray.
So, what are these “fables”? Although not a complete list, these fables include:
--- that God’s Word does not really man what it says.
--- that God’s Laws change in accordance with the culture.
--- that what God calls sin is not actually sin; therefore, God does not disapprove of it.
--- that the criteria for sin has changed with our culture, making what was sinful no longer sin.
--- that God will judge us according to our circumstances, rather than according to His Word.
These are only a few of the many “fables” that “teachers” have created to pacify those with “itching ears”.
The Apostle Paul, in his earlier writings to the Colossians, wrote in Colossians 2:4-8:
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.
5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. NKJV
Here Paul is admonishing the Colossians to beware of those attempting to persuade them through deceit that is based on the traditions of men and the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ and the teachings of Scripture.
This is the essence of some of what is occurring within much of our church leadership. Our present-day society has deteriorated to a level never before experienced in this country. Many of the church leaders, instead of rising up in accordance with Scripture to oppose this movement, have instead chosen to teach according to the traditions of men and the basic principles of the world, while disregarding the teachings found in Scripture.
Examples of this movement can be easily found in our media, where many church leaders are shown to be moving toward supporting many of the new laws and movements that support abortions, homosexuality and same-sex marriages. At the same time, many of these same leaders are also quick to denounce any criticism of the anti-Christian Muslim faith or its practices, again complying with societal changes. These are some of the more vivid examples of the attempts by the teachers to turn the ears of their followers away from the truth and turn them aside to fables.
Actually, much of this is a result of following the leadership of their political parties. But, still, there is no Scriptural basis for condoning these changes in our society. Despite this, their teaching is more and more centered on adjusting to and supporting the societal changes that are clearly contrary to Scripture.
www.zeal4truth.org
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