Itching Ears and the Danger of Rejecting Truth
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
A Warning from 2 Timothy 4:3–4 (KJV)
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
— 2 Timothy 4:3–4, KJV
The apostle Paul gave Timothy—and all of us—a sober warning: a time would come when people would reject sound doctrine, pursue their own desires, and choose teachers who preach what they want you to hear, not what they need to hear or what the bible is really teaching about living in sin. That time is not in the distant future. That time is now. Many today are living their lives in sin and think they are saved because they received Jesus once in their life or were once baptized in water. Look at what the bible really teaches in Hebrews 12:14…
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
The State of Many Churches and People’s lives Today
Across the world today, many churches have fallen away from preaching the full counsel of God. They have replaced “TRUTH” to appeal to the masses instead of warning people about sin, hell, and the need for true repentance which leads people to godly sorrow and conviction for living in sin, the pulpits are filled with messages that tickle ears and comfort consciences, even when people are living in rebellion towards God and his word.
Messages are softened to avoid offense.
Holiness is exchanged for popularity.
God’s fear is replaced with man’s approval.
Many who sit in church pews every week have never come to terms with their unrepented sin. Why? Because they’ve surrounded themselves with teachers who avoid truth—teachers who entertain rather than preach true repentance that brings conviction of the Holy Spirit, they soothe the ears of people rather than stir their hearts against living a life of sin, they affirm using scripture promises by having the congregation repeat soothing scripture “affirmations” to appeal to the masses rather than correct their parishioners of sin.
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
— Matthew 15:8
Itching Ears: A Dangerous Desire
The phrase “itching ears” implies a desire to hear pleasant, flattering messages, rather than truthful, corrective ones. When people prioritize their own desires, they become vulnerable to deception and spiritual fables—man-made beliefs that replace the truth of Scripture.
“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?”
— Jeremiah 5:31
“24 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. 25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: 26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. 27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. 28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. 29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.”
— Luke 13:24-30
Instead of enduring sound doctrine, they turn away people from truth and are turned unto lies—a clear spiritual judgment.
What Happens When the Truth Is Rejected?
When truth is rejected, people are not left in a neutral state. Instead, they are turned over to spiritual delusion and are on the wide road that leads to destruction.
“Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:”
— 2 Thessalonians 2:10–11
This isn’t just a matter of theology—it’s a matter of eternal consequence. A soul that refuses truth is on the road to eternal ruin unless repentance occurs.
The Fear of the LORD Is Absent
A major reason why many reject truth is because they do not fear God. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), but when it’s gone, sin seems harmless and even enjoyable.
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
— Romans 3:18
Without the fear of God:
Sin is tolerated.
Conviction is silenced.
Repentance is neglected.
Examples in Scripture: Then and Now
Jeremiah’s Day – The people refused to hear truth:
“To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.”
— Jeremiah 6:10Isaiah’s Warning – People said to the prophets:
“Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:”
— Isaiah 30:10Jesus’ Ministry – Many walked away when the truth became uncomfortable:
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”
— John 6:66
Just like then, many today prefer smooth talkers over truth tellers.
God Still Calls All to Repentance Today
Though many have turned to fables and rejected truth, God still extends mercy and calls every soul to repent. The message of repentance was central to Jesus, John the Baptist, the apostles—and it must be central today.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”
— Acts 3:19
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
— Luke 13:3
“The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
— 2 Peter 3:9
Final Warning and Call
God will not strive with man forever. There is a day coming when the door of grace will shut, and only judgment remains.
“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
— Proverbs 29:1
If you have been living with unrepented sin, trusting in feel-good messages, and avoiding the fear of the Lord, today is the day of salvation.
“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:”
— Isaiah 55:6
Key Scriptures on Repentance and Perishing
Here are several vital scriptures every soul must consider:
Luke 13:5 – “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Proverbs 28:13 – “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
Acts 17:30 – “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”
Revelation 3:19 – “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Conclusion
The warning of 2 Timothy 4:3–4 is not just prophetic—it is present. The age of “itching ears” is here. But so is the call of God to repent. Don’t settle for fables when the truth can set you free. Don’t surround yourself with comforters who excuse sin. Run to Christ. Embrace the truth. Fear God. Repent. Be saved.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
— Ecclesiastes 12:13