Itching Ears

Do you like having your ears tickled? Not literally, but figuratively? Do you like having someone tell you what you WANT to hear, not necessarily what you NEED to hear? I think we all fall into this at times.

I can look back at various times of my life, where I was resisting obedience in my life. I wanted to do it my way or follow a path that was contrary to God's leading. Satan definitely tried to use people in my life to help my justify my decisions and rebellion. This rebellion can be on "small things" that we deem "not a big deal." Unfortunately, the great deceiver can use "small things" to bring big destruction in our lives.

The Bible warns us of the false teachers in 2 Peter 2:18-19:

For when they (false teachers) speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh; while they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Stacy MacDonald wrote in her recent book:

If you sin, a plethora of teachers and psychologists will give you numerous reasons why it's not your fault-you can blame your childhood, your lack of self-esteem, your body image,your demanding children or husband. . . Many of these teachers claim Christ; yet, because they fear that the true teachings of Scripture are too hard for people to bear, they soften and sugarcoat the truth.

It is so tempting to surround ourselves with those who tickle our itching ears, whether it be a personal friend or Oprah! May we seek godly counsel from wise advisors and saturate ourselves in the word of God. May we "study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Shunning profane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness (2 Timothy 2: 15-16)"