Ear tickling or scratching religion

The apostle Paul charged young Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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” (II Tim. 4:2-4). First, the charge is for Timothy to preach the truth of God’s word, whether it was a popular doctrine or not. Truth or error is not decided on how many people accept it or reject it. Following that initial charge to Timothy, Paul reveals the reason for urging Timothy to diligently do the work of an evangelist. The reason, being, people were going to want to hear that which tickled or scratched their ears. That prophecy certainly came true and really has always been true. God said through the prophet Isaiah, “…this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isa. 30:9-10). Not all that promote a religion that is an ear tickler rather than a God pleaser does so deliberately. Often, they themselves have simply fallen for the comfortable doctrine rather than the strait and narrow one (Matt. 7:13-14).

So, what are some ear tickling doctrines that are prominent today? We can start with the “I’m ok, you’re ok, we are all going to the same place, just taking different routes to get there” teachings of many today. Multitudes today would rather embrace the idea that everyone is right and no one is wrong than to take a stand on what they believe to be the absolute truth. Such is a far cry from what the Lord Himself and Holy Spirit inspired writers presented as the way to have unity. The Lord prayed for all believers to be one as He was with the Father and as the Father with Him (John 17:20-21). The apostle Paul instructed, “…that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Cor. 1:10). It may well be convenient to justify not pointing out error in a friend or family member’s religious efforts, but what they really need is to hear the truth. Paul said to, “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rathe reprove them” (Eph. 5:11).

Another ear tickling prominent doctrine is that salvation is by faith only and therefore anyone and everyone who believes in Jesus Christ shall be saved. The discipline of one of the major denominations of this nation states, “Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort”. As one can see, it is pointed out it is said to be full of comfort. It is comforting to think that loved ones who have really never been devoted to the obedience of God’s word and often has lived an extremely sinful life will be rewarded with a home in heaven in the end. However comforting that may be me to one’s ears, it simply stands defiant to the word of God. Jesus plainly stated, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Paul told the Thessalonian brethren, “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thess. 1:7-9). The faith in Christ that saves man is the faith that is strong enough to cause one to abide by the commands of the Lord, or in other words, obey Him.

There are literally thousands of examples of ear tickling teaching that is taught, believed and practiced and in most every realm of Christianity. Concerning the common practice of divorce and remarriage for most any cause that one can imaging and still be pleasing in the sigh of God. Such is ear scratching, but not God authorized (Matt. 19:9). The practice of worshiping God in ways that are not found authorized in the New Testament, though they may well be pleasing and entertaining to those taking part, is still foreign from what God is pleased with (John 4:23-24). Where does God sanction “join the church of your choice” or “attend the church of your choice”? He did say He would build His church (Matt. 16:18). The society in which we live has bred a whole nation full of people interested most of all what is pleasing to themselves, with very little real concern for what pleases God. “Buy the truth and sell it not…”(Prov. 23:23).