|
2 Timothy 4:3, 3:5 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears…..having a form of
godliness but denying its power….
Today the church is under great attack to compromise sound doctrine. The hearts of many shepherds have grown cold and complacent
in church pulpits resulting in malnourished and wandering sheep. Some churches unfortunately are known as "gossip centers" instead of "Gospel Centers".
The bible talks about overcoming such attacks in these last days and is found in Hebrews 3:12, 13 – Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in
departing from the living God; but encourage one another daily, while it is called “Today”… and in Hebrews 10:24, 25 – And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Have you ever noticed in the middle of the boxing match, that the trainers of an exhausted fighter are encouraging him to get back up and finish the fight? They point out weak
areas of his opponent and encourage him to get back in the ring to capitalize on their discovery. Over and over the trainers are encouraging the fighter to press in a little bit harder, to look for and take advantage of those opportunities.
In principle, the Hebrew writer implores us to do the same thing, which is to
encourage our brothers and sisters, and to do this often. When you see someone down, encourage them (I
Thess. 5:11; 4:18), when your feeling discouraged, fill yourself up (Phil. 4:8; Ro. 12:2) that you may impart grace to the hearers (Eph.
4:29). This cannot be accomplished as a solo act, rather it will take an “Us”, “Ourselves”, and “One Another”
(Ecc 4:12). This powerful principle of encouraging others
rids you of self thus eliminating “Itching Ears” and “Compromising of Sound Doctrine”
|
