2 Timothy 4:3-4 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.
This is more evident in our society today than ever before. We have unqualified teachers in abundance. They regurgitate others’ teachings without personal revelation. This results in an exchange of information without impartation. There is no demonstration of truth without impartation. This is one reason we don’t see the supernatural power of God in our services like we should.
Matthew 23:9-10 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
That may seem contradictory. The Lord Jesus gave us teachers in the form of the “five-fold ministry gifts” mentioned in Ephesians 4. However, it is not contradictory. All the five-fold ministry gifts have one purpose: to equip the saints for the work of ministry. All five gifts teach differently. These teachings must be filtered through our relationship with God and His written word.
1 John 2:26-27 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
Suppose we believe false doctrine out of ignorance. Regardless of our intention, we partner with the adversary in leading us into deception. Our wrong beliefs build strongholds of wrong thinking and wrong believing. By believing lies, we assist the enemy in his deceptions and help him build the strongholds that he hides behind. Unfortunately, most of us fall for this deception at one time or another.
Strongholds are not only reinforced belief systems. They are defensive positions in our minds. The enemy hides behind them to wage war. This ensures we stay trapped in wrong thinking and wrong believing. When we speak and act on our wrong beliefs, we reinforce the stronghold. One of the ways Satan keeps us deceived is by separating us from the rest of the flock. He keeps running in the same circle of people who believe like us. He then makes us despise and ridicule the beliefs of other denominations. Denominational divisions were never God’s plan (1 Corinthians 3 ). Now they are an effective tool the enemy uses against us to keep us divided.
To enjoy true freedom in Christ, we must be very selective about what we hear. We must be particular about who we listen to and how much we do it. We should also be very selective about what we watch. Our eyes and ears are receptors for our hearts. What we see and hear has either positive or negative effects on our hearts and minds.
Do you spend a lot of time watching and listening to TV shows with violence and cursing? Do these shows also include sexual innuendo and lies as entertainment? How many hours a day do you spend watching television or surfing the web? How about social media? All of these things contribute to you having itching ears, and they ALL can hinder your spiritual growth.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.
In comparison, how much time do you spend in God’s word a day? I’m not talking about going to Church or reading a book about the Bible. I’m not talking about you listening to preachers and teachers spoon-feed you their opinions on the Bible. I mean YOU reading and/or listening to the Bible yourself.
1 Peter 2:1-3 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Peter says in verse 1 to lay aside these things. We constantly see and hear these things on TV, and they are poisoning us. The same poison is also present in all other forms of media. In verse 2, he tells us to desire the sincere milk of the word like newborn babes. Newborns cry out for milk 8 to 12 times a day. They need constant nourishment to keep them healthy and growing. What if you fed that same newborn poison 8 to 12 times a day? Would that child be healthy?
A robust relationship with God through His written Word is essential. It is the only way to skillfully discern sound teaching. Truth becomes obscured when we fill our hearts and minds with the things of this world.
Ask yourself, and ask God: Am I truly abiding in God’s word? Or am I just reading the latest books and listening to the latest sermons? Do I really desire the sincere milk of the word? Do I crave a self-serving gospel that doesn’t challenge me? One that doesn’t strengthen me for trials and testing? Am I comfortable in my Christianity?
If you are not hungry for God’s Word, you haven’t read it enough. Spiritual hunger comes from eating spiritual food, not starving yourself. God’s word is spiritual food. God’s Word is incorruptible seed. God’s Word is light and life!
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Spiritual growth demands more than just passive consumption of teachings or fleeting moments spent in religious activity. It requires a deliberate, daily pursuit of God’s Word. This pursuit creates a hunger that transforms the heart and mind. It breaks down strongholds of deception and division.
The world will continue to offer countless distractions. Only the living Word of God can discern your deepest thoughts and intentions. It guides you into truth and freedom.
Now is the time to act. Make a decision to guard your heart with diligence. Be intentional about what you watch, listen to, and believe. Set aside the noise of the world and the opinions of others. Immerse yourself in scripture. Nourish your spiritual appetite with the sincere milk of God’s holy, written Word. Avoid the empty calories of culture.
Thank you for visiting truthpressure.com. I hope this has been a blessing to you.
JESUS IS COMING!
Truth Pressure Ministries 