Tell Me What I Want To Hear
I like to hear things that sound good. Things that don’t make me question, feel concerned or convicted. I like being in the majority, knowing what’s being said is supported by “the many”.
That’s what I like.
The problem is, often what I like and what God through His Word says is right are in conflict. In other words, what the culture and world say is “good and right” contradicts what Jesus teaches. And if I claim to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, I have a decision to make.
What has always fascinated me with this issue is, it’s nothing new. Paul dealt with it in his ministry, and addressed it directly in his letter to Timothy.
[3] For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, [4] and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
2 Timothy 4:3-4
Paul had already encountered and combated false teachings within the churches he planted. He even goes as far to name some people specifically. He knew the reality that Timothy would encounter it also.
Our humanness can be one of our biggest foes. We like what sounds “good”. Honestly, who likes to be wrong? Who likes being confronted with conviction? Our humanness, the sin nature we all have, craves being right. And many, even Christians, will turn to whatever will feed their need to be justified in their thinking and actions. It’s nothing new today, we see it within the Church more today than perhaps ever.
It’s easy to get frustrated, I know. To see a brother or sister in Christ, or Church Leadership take a position on an issue Scripture is exceptionally clear about. Today you can jump on social media and start a word-war in seconds. It’s easy to see people run towards the things that feed their own passions and want to lash out with criticism and “facts” and leave a wake of destruction.
With Paul’s warning to Timothy comes instruction, wisdom from his own battles within the Church.
[2] preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
[5] As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 Timothy 4:2 & 5
How do I, as a professing follower of Jesus, respond to Paul’s warning? What should I do when everyone around me is turning to the voices that tell us what we want to hear?
I press into Jesus more. I fill my heart and mind with His truth contained in Scripture. I speak truth in love when the opportunity arises. I persevered under attacks. I resist false teaching and what the world says is “right”. I stay faithful to God and love people, even if we disagree.
I do what God has called me to do, and leave the rest to His Spirit.
Pastor Luke
An Eternal Viewpoint 
Ah, the on-line mud wrestling… The thing is, as we press into Jesus, we are often given “pearls” of wisdom and insight, and He warned us about giving out those treasures to just anybody. “Do not give dogs what is sacred, and do not toss your pearls to pigs, or they may trample them under their feet and then turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6) Throwing even truths onto social media, where others are firing opinions, arguments, and insults at one another, is inviting verbal and emotional abuse. For me it’s best to stay focused on the LORD and let Him direct my thoughts. If someone comes to me and ASKS my thoughts on something, I will prayerfully have a dialogue with that person.
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