Itchy Ears

Our reading from the Second Letter to Timothy yesterday morning contained some words which made my ears prick up: "For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths."

That left me pondering the question,  do I have itchy ears? And how would I know?

Paul suggests a test for answering that question. Is my starting point my own desires? If so, might I be seeking out teachers (writers, social media commentators friends or acquaintances?) who will justify my starting point? If so, Paul tells us, there is a real risk that we will have wandered away into a myth.

Christians believe that the safer starting point is the God revealed by Jesus. That what Jesus taught, whether it corresponds with what we desire or not, helps us to avoid itchy ear syndrome.

Father of all, open our spiritual ears to hear your word that brings life and hope and make each of us a vessel through which your word can flow. In the name of Jesus. Amen