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; They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV
One of the things we can expect in these end times is that people’s ears will itch. This describes the obsession or strong desire people will have to hear something they have not heard before and something soothing. People will get tired of hearing Christ and Him crucified and will opt for other forms of messages. Here is what scripture has to say concerning that.
The first thing that happens with these people is that they develop an uncontrolled desire to hear something new and different. Every sin, little or great, starts with a desire. The scripture tells us that these people will not even be able to endure sound doctrine (2 Tim 4:3). So, apart from the fact that they have this inappropriate desire to hear something different, sound doctrine also becomes repulsive to them. Expectedly, it pushes them to look for teachers who will speak what suits them.
There are two problems with this. People with itchy ears who are eager to hear a new message are never in line with the old message. They want more when they haven’t even made do with what they have. Secondly, they itch to hear this new message because they want to hear something that justifies their desires which are usually contrary to the word of God.
Like everything that goes against the will of God, this has its dangers. The first thing we can learn from the scripture–2 Timothy 4:3–is that people like this turn away from what is true to follow what is false and made up. Believers who itch to hear something different from the word of God will make for themselves or get attracted to false teachers who do not preach the truth of God’s word. When you hide the truth or allow it to be distorted, there is no limit to the falsehood that will be introduced. Elders will say that when you tell one lie, you will tell many more to cover it up. Anything different, anything outside of God’s word is a lie. If we get comfortable with these extra-biblical “truths” we will no sooner get comfortable with changing all of scripture.
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
John 17: 17 NIV
As mentioned above, this itchy-ear syndrome often starts with looking for a justification for man’s wayward desires. It has been happening since the days of old.
They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.
Isaiah 30:10 NIV
The people of Israel no longer wanted to hear God’s word. They wanted to hear something new, something different that would applaud their wrongdoing, even when they knew it was all deceit. They asked for prophets that will tell them lies and it shouldn’t surprise you that they got just that. Prophets like that were more likely to stand before the king than the prophets who spoke the truth. In the Bible, we read of King Ahab who enjoyed the prophecy of his false prophets and despised the words of Micaiah because he spoke the truth. (1Kings 22)
From silencing these prophets with punishments or a slap, as was the case of Micaiah, these people began killing them (Rom. 11:3). The rejection of God’s word was one thing but to harass and kill His prophets is another. Unfortunately, this is what the itch to hear a new message does to you.
The greatest danger is that this is a trap designed by the enemy. The truth does not pick sides, and whether you acknowledge it or not, the truth remains the truth. It is we who must pick the side that aligns with the truth. King Ahab wanted the truth to be on his side. He ended up listening to the false prophets who told him what he wanted to hear and unfortunately, he suffered for it. When Jeremiah prophesied about the wrath of God coming upon Israel, their response should have been remorse and repentance. But they instead chose to silence the truth. This however changed nothing for them because at the appointed time, as described in the prophecy, they faced God’s judgment. (Jer. 27 &28)
In looking for something new, these people look for something extraordinary. They want signs and wonders before they can believe. Such people become victims of people like Bar-Jesus, who aren’t speaking any truth but are displaying signs and spectacular things (Acts 13:6-13). The truth doesn’t always have to be spectacular or mind-boggling. It can be simple and straightforward, just like the gospel of salvation.
The scriptures are inexhaustible. If you depend on the Holy Spirit, you can get a thousand and one revelations concerning the same scripture. The letters of Peter are the same as the letters of James which is the same as the letters of Paul, all of which are established on the Old Testament. Simply put, God’s word is evergreen. Even if you must hear that sermon on love ten times over, then so be it. After all, the goal is to be fully saturated with the knowledge and expression of God’s word.
The terrible days that were prophesied in scripture are here. Many false prophets are looking for their next target. The easiest prey are those desperate to hear something different, even if it is a lie. Let us be comfortable with staying and desiring the evergreen word of God rather than searching for other things.
Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:13 NIV
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