Itching Ears
Scripture
1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)
Reflection
In a world of increasing technology, we have immediate access to news stations, streaming services, and a variety of online platforms. Cutting-edge advancements like predictive text and generative artificial intelligence with specific articles, recommendations, and advertisements, appear on our screens. They respond to our interests, beliefs, and search histories. They also remind us of the items we research to buy, video episodes we watch, and the news channels we listen to—or at least the ones our ears are itching to hear.
Paul warned Timothy of itching ears in 2 Timothy 4:3: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what they itching ears want to hear.”
Jesus also warned his disciples to guard their ears, and he urged them to be on the lookout so that no one deceived them. In Matthew 24:4–6, Jesus instructed his disciples, “Watch out that no one deceives you. Because many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will deceive many people. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because all these things must happen; but that is not yet the end.”
I find it interesting that Jesus said, “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.” He could have said, “you will learn of rumors and wars,” or perhaps, “you will see those discussing of rumors and wars.” Yet Jesus chose the word hear. There is something about the ear that receives information so easily. A catchy beat can deafen the ear from realizing there are bad words hidden in a song. The gentle voice and caring tone of a false preacher can deceive the ear. If the ear is not guarded well, deception is knocking at the door, waiting for an opportune time to enter.
During this season of Lent, let us take time to listen to the one who fashioned the ear as we reflect upon the words of Psalm 94:9: “Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?” God hears our every cry, and he invites us to hear his voice speak truth into our hearts today.
Prayer
Father in heaven, thank you for giving us ears to hear you. Help us to be on the lookout and avoid deception. Please tune our hearts to hear and believe your voice of truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
2024 Lenten Journey
Adrian Brown