Itching Ears Want To Hear

Jeremiah 23:13; Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:24; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1

King Ahab was a wicked King over Israel. Of course there never was a good king over the northern tribes. Only a handful of kings in the south (Judah) were good. Jehoshaphat was one such king. In 2 Chronicles 18 we see Jehoshaphat paying a visit to Ahab. Ahab prepares a feast for Jehoshaphat and then asks him to go to battle with him against Ramoth-gilead. Jehoshaphat agrees under one condition: He wanted to hear from the Lord on it. Ahab agrees and sends for 400 false prophets to try to appease Jehoshaphat. They all give the king the green light and tell him the victory will be his. Jehoshaphat however sees right through the pretense and asks if there is not a prophet of the Lord that they may inquire of. Ahab gives a remarkably honest response: "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me but always evil. He is Micaiah, son of Imla.” (v. 7) It seems that Ahab couldn't take the truth. He would soon lose his life for his continued denial. 

As I think about how Ahab preferred the flattery of false affirmation over the troubling truth, I am reminded of the plethora of false teachers today that fill stadiums with those who prefer the tickling of the ears over the truth of the Gospel. Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NASB) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.

We must be mindful of misleading doctrine. We are to test the spirits as John says in 1 John 4:1. But how do we discern good doctrine from bad? The best way to recognize the truth is to study it for yourself. Paul tells Timothy to be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) So trust Him and Pray as David did in Psalm 25:5 (NASB) Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; and again in Psalm 86:11 (NASB) Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth. If you will diligently study and sincerely ask for guidance, He will lead you into the truth.

John 8:31–32 (NASB) So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Pastor Mike Deese