Did you know that when the Bible speaks of life-giving, life-changing truth, it’s more than a mental accent? I always think that when the Bible speaks of the deception of the end times, I’ll be able to spot it, stand clear, and be strong. How can we be sure we will have the strength and not fall away? The matter is how we handle the truth when it comes to us. Do we whittle away at it with justifications and arguments, pointing fingers? Do we allow ourselves the grace to accept that we aren’t perfect? It’s allowing the beauty of an intimate, loving interaction with God to change us.
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Itching Ears
It’s good to note what we hear and how it affects us. Is what we hear suiting our own desires instead of God’s? If God is working on a particular part of me that needs to change, and I hear something that gives me a pass, relief, or a break without going to God and getting closer to Him, this is deception. It’s relieving that discomfort I have without me turning to Him for change.
Always Learning, Never Able
I love to learn, read, and contemplate. I love to see life interwoven brilliantly and beautifully in God’s word. The temptation is to be distracted by its beauty and not allow it to change me. The word has the power to change us if we are willing to face the truth of it.
“…always learning and listening to anybody who will teach them, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:7 AMP
The Kiss of Truth
Embracing the truth is often uncomfortable. When we allow ourselves the time to sit with it, to let it soak into our minds and spirits, to see it through the eyes of God, it’s powerful and life-changing. Knowing the truth intimately will set us free. The Greek word in that passage speaks of an intimate and relational knowing, not straightforward mental ascent. So when we read the truth, the word, and are uncomfortable, let’s bring it to God. Through this process, we become free.
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NIV
