Daily Bread – July 27, 2024 (The Seventh Day – Genesis 2:1-3) 2 Timothy 4:3 – For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up unto themselves teachers after their own lusts. Itching-Ear Disease Unfortunately, the types of teachers demanded by those who have itching ears do not come from outside the Church, but are nurtured in the environment of compromise and rebellion within the ranks of the Church, and raised up by those who demand to hear teaching that will accommodate their lust and iniquity. Be certain of this, if the teaching you are hearing is not turning you from all sin and compromise to a life of absolute holiness and a deep yearning for righteousness, then it is not what Jesus taught – and therefore, is not sound doctrine. God’s truth points out errors and sins, and brings those who will hear into perfect conformity to His will. Those who are under a spirit of strong delusion mistake this for condemnation, and call holiness and godliness “legalism.” They refuse to be empowered to live in the fullness of God’s presence and grace so that they may hold on to their worldly lusts and pleasures. Itching-ear disease is a miserable disease for which there is no relief. In the case of spiritual inching-ear disease, men are greatly agitated and miserable as the truth is being taught, and can only find relief when someone begins to preach compromising lies which allow room for their lusts and ungodliness. Sound doctrine produces spiritual health and well-being, but men would rather remain in their spiritual disease so they can continue in their lust. Unfortunately, this spiritual state only broadens and increases as we approach the final hours of the Church. We must all be aware of how an apostate church is on the rise. Yet, there will always be a glorious Church shining with the light of truth, even though it will be hated by all men for His Name’s sake. Even as in the days of Jeremiah, we find it so today: “The prophets prophesy falsely and my people love to have it so” (Jeremiah 5:31). The time is upon us in the Church where the people of God will once again repeat the sins of those God called “a rebellious people, lying children who say, ‘Don’t prophecy unto us right things; speak smooth things, prophesy deceits'” (Isaiah 30:10). Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 7/27/2024
