Strange Life

Itching Ear Syndrome

stranger | 22 March, 2010 12:12

Truth is a strange thing isn't it? Most decent folks teach their children the importance of always speaking the truth. But when it comes to the scriptures, many actually reject the truth contained in the Word of God.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2Timothy 4:1-5 KJV)

It amazes me how easily even Christians will reject biblical truth, no matter how plainly it is displayed before them.

The scriptures clearly explain the motivation behind Itching Ear Syndrome. It's stems from the things we desire or don't desire.

When the truth is pleasant to us, we embrace it with joy. But, when the truth makes us uncomfortable, many reject it.

It is not my intention to go into every area in the realm of Christianity where I see this taking place. But, I would like to touch upon a few things as examples.

Many churches and church leaders teach that only part of the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit are in operation in the Church today. The others, they claim, have already passed away, or were only intended for the propogation of the early church.

As logical as they make it sound for those who willfully choose not to believe in those things, their teaching is based partially on speculation, partially on poor interpretation of the scriptures and partially on a lack of knowledge.

This same principle of deviation from the truth runs rampant in the Church today in many areas of doctrine.

Another example is the trend in the modern church not only to act as if homosexuality was an acceptable form of behavior, but to embrace it to the point they deny the bible proclaims it is sin. Then to go as far as to ordain those sinners into the ministry.

I wonder, have they never read Romans 1:18-32 or Leviticus 20:13 ?

No, the truth is not always something people want to hear. But, do we as Christians dare deny the truth of God's word? Are those who do such a thing really in a right relationship with the Lord?

There is another area where truth comes into the picture, and is often denied or discarded. I am speaking of when we are shown the truth, and perhaps don't understand it right away, or it doesn't seem logical to us at the moment. So we automatically reject it, without prayerfully searching out the matter.

This very thing took place in the early church, and you can surely count on the fact that it happens in our time too.

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (2Peter 3:15-18)

Paul, in his day, encountered much opposition to the truth. Sometimes even from other believers. The cause according to Peter was that those who didn't perceive the truth were themselves unlearned and unstable.

Itching Ear Syndrome is a deceptive thing. We must exercise great caution not to merely go with the flow. We have a personal responsibility to search the scriptures, pray, and seek God for the truth.

Are you taking the precautionary measures required to prevent it from infecting your life?