Turn Up The Sound

2 Timothy 4:3-5 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; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (KJV)

Williams New Testament translation of 2Timothy 4:3-5
3. For a time will come when they will not listen to wholesome teaching, but to gratify their own evil desires will surround themselves with teachers who teach to gratify their own evil desires, because their ears are itching so to be tickled, 4. and they will cease to listen to the truth and will turn to listen to myths. 5. But you, on your part, must always keep your head cool, suffer hardship, do your work as a herald of the good news, and so fill your ministry to the brim.

Thayer’s definition for ‘sound’:
5198  hugiaino-
1) to be sound, to be well, to be in good health
2) metaphorically:
    a) used of Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error
    b) used of one who keeps the graces and is strong

Rather than turning up the sound, that being the voice of God, many would rather turn down the volume and in essence drown out the source of life. When one looks around especially in this country, we see so many that are not in good health, but rather they are out of shape and weak. Spiritually the same holds true; though the spirit is willing it’s the flesh that is weak and so are those that choose to stay in that realm rather than stepping out into the realm where our Lord operates, that being the spiritual one. Oh but it is the fastest growing church in the area because they have learned how to reach out to those in the community and draw them in. Instead of drawing the people closer to God which can only be done with truth, many use gimmicks, worldly methods with worldly preachers who tell people what they want to hear and not what they truly need to hear. Case in point; though our Lord had a following for a season, when it came down to dieing to self and dealing with sound doctrine many chose a different path.

Titus 2:6-8 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. (7) In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, (8) Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. (KJV)

You will not and cannot have sound speech unless you are giving ear to sound doctrine, which can only come from the source Himself. With what measure you mete or allow, is what is measured back your way; so the more you turn up the volume, that being your spiritual ears, the stronger you will become in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Thus the term ‘young men’; not a child or childish people who listen to childish doctrine because it makes them feel good. You know, you can eat a lot of candy and get a sugar rush that feels good, like a child who isn’t concerned about their health or the consequences of their actions, but if one desires to mature and grow up in the Lord it will take more of the meat of the word of God in order to accomplish this. Sound doctrine is not always fun to hear, or even easy to endure at times, but afterwards it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those that keep their spiritual senses exercised to discern between good and evil. You wonder why your body is out of shape and you are weak? It’s because you did what you wanted to and not what you needed in order to keep it maintained. You wonder why you are weak and unable to stand spiritually? Well, it’s because rather than give ear to sound doctrine you chose someone that would tickle your ears rather than build you up.

John 6:63-66 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. (65) And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. (66) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. (KJV)

You know, our Lord Himself delivered sound doctrine, pointing the people to the spiritual realm and away from the flesh and its fallen nature. I know of no one that delivered a more sound doctrine, as well as demonstrating what it is truly like to walk the walk; and yet with that in mind it says many went back and walked no more with Him. Just where do you think the many went? Well, there were plenty of ear tickling people pleasers back then as there are today; so rather than continue in their search for truth they chose a different path, you know that easy fun one where all the people are hanging out. Even today when someone holds fast to sound doctrine and denounces things that are unhealthy (like we spoke about yesterday; how people think it is ok to live together before marriage), or doesn’t agree with homosexuality or alternative lifestyles as some put it (which the only alternative they will end up with is hell instead of heaven because they held to the flesh which is weak and not to the Spirit which would make them strong and able to overcome what God says is an abomination), that which their life ministers or they preach is termed old fashioned or out of touch.

2 Timothy 1:7-8 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (8) Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (KJV)

You are not going to have a sound mind unless you give ear to sound doctrine. That spirit of fear that is tormenting you did not come from God, but obviously the enemy was given a clear shot at the heart that should have been protected by the shield of faith; you know, the one that is established by hearing, hearing the word of God and not man’s versions. You know that fun guy that tickled your ear last Sunday and told you everything you wanted to hear, he won’t be around on Monday when it comes time to take a stand for the Lord and the afflictions that come with being one of His. Kind of like that slick used car salesman that gave you a line about the car he just sold you the other day, you know, the one that would now be described as a lemon. Well that guy is long gone, laughing all the way to the bank, standing in line right behind the preacher that sold you a lemon of a doctrine also.

2 Timothy 1:13-14 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (14) That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (KJV)

The spirit is willing, the flesh is weak and so are those that don’t get built up in the word of God and stay built up. A perfect mature love will cast out all fear, because you are more willing to give ear to the Holy Ghost, looking within to find that strength and peace. Turn up the sound, because the more you give ear and practice sound doctrine the more sound you will be in your walk.

God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord.