“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.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Have you ever thought about the above words being applied to Christians? That people who affirm that the Bible is their authority and Jesus is their Lord can “turn away their ears from the truth” and “turn aside to myths”?
It is happening in the church today. Not just a little – a lot. So, let’s be reminded:
FEELINGS do not define truth. For instance, we may not feel good about the doctrine of Hell. But our feelings don’t change the fact that Hell exists and that “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he [will be] thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).
DESIRES do not define truth. For example, we all want material blessings in this life. But God never promises that. What he does promise us is himself – always: “I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:12-13).
BELIEFS do not define truth. For instance, we may believe that people are basically good by nature. Not so: by nature, all people are sinners and enemies of God (Romans 5:8, 10).
EXPERIENCES do not define truth. For example, we might have a dream that we believe to be prophetic. But just because an experience is “spiritual” does not mean it is from the Holy Spirit. God reproaches such an assumption when he says, “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in my name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’” (Jeremiah 23:25).
LEADERS do not define truth. For instance, we might think something is true because a Christian pastor, preacher, teacher, or author said it. The apostle Paul warned: “Even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8).
MIRACLES do not define truth. For example, we might be awed by a supernatural occurrence. But “supernatural” doesn’t mean “from God.” Consider that in the last times there will be “one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9).
There is only ONE WAY to know what is true: and that is by turning to the WORD OF GOD.