(2Ti 4:3) “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;”  Why do people no longer which to come where the Bible is taught and the hymns are sung? The answer is that they do not love the Lord, but self. “Teach how I can be better in my own eyes but don’t tell me what I can and cannot do.” Meet the criteria of men; please them with music that moves their flesh; let them have the world and they will come. (Luk_6:46)  “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”   

(1Ti 4:1) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (3)  Forbidding to marry….”  Marriage certainly is that which has suffered during the wickedness of these last days. Individuals live together for years, leave, get someone else until they tire of one another and then do it all over again. Affection and lust has replaced the true commitment of love and fidelity for a lifetime to another.

(1Ti 4:2) “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”  Continue to read that which follows and you will find them teaching “extra-biblical” things, adding to the Word of  God. By the way, those things will be said to “keep” one saved. Remember, salvation is a free gift of God through the blood of His Son. Yes, we are to live holy lives, but it is the Word of God that teaches us “what and how”. They are not “to save” but because we are saved.

(1Ti 4:2) “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”  It stands to reason that fallen spirits who followed Lucifer would speak lies, for Satan is the father of lies. The sad thing is that mankind’s fallen nature embraces lies far more readily than they do truth. This day has arrived. We are in the latter times, for there are mega-churches teaching the false doctrine of “believe” and you will be saved, rather than “repent” and you will be saved.  

(1Ti 4:1) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”  As far as has been revealed in Scripture, “spirits (here) and devils” speaks of the same – fallen angels. So often one says, “The Lord told me” and what they say does agree with the Bible. The Bible is the test. The Holy Spirit would never direct you to anything that would contradict God’s Word.

 (1Ti 4:1) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;”  The Bible tells us, (1Jn_4:1) “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” This is an area of great ignorance among God’s people. Though the Bible warns us of “Satan, the prince and the power of the air”, yet we live as if he doesn’t exist, and thus his kingdom has no influence on my life. Consider carefully these Words.  More tomorrow.

 (2Ti 4:3) “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;….”  It should not surprise those who have grown up in a “me” society, where “who I am”, “what I am”, “what I think” is more important than anything else, should reject “sound doctrine” – what God “thinks” – no – commands. The saved need to be taught: grace means favor you received but did not deserve; you have been “purchased” with the blood of Christ Jesus; any merit you possess is “Christ in you”; we are to become like Jesus by programming our thinking by God’s Word; He is Lord of me.

(2Ti 4:3) “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;….”  What can be said to be “sound doctrine”? Only that which agrees with the whole of Scripture, no assumptions made, and a heart yielded to it as being the very Word of God Himself. Bible doctrine will never exalt self, only God Himself. I personally seek only too the KJV for God’s Word – doctrine. The others are made from texts which have not all of the Scriptures, plus seventy “extremely” educated and scholarly men interpreted it word for word. There have been no translations since by those so educated and they are no longer word for word translations, but, “This is what it is saying.” In other words, you have very much the opinion of man in the translation.

(2Ti 4:1) “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,….. (2) …. exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”   As a pastor, I have often wondered why my people so often seem to be following the world. Answer: you cannot follow what you do not know; in this case I am referring to doctrine – God’s Word. It is God’s Word and only God’s Word that will exhort (call to comfort) God’s people, leading them to live rightly before their Lord.. Do you desire to minister to others? Then immerse yourself in God’s Word.

(2Ti 4:1) “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ,….. (2) …. exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”   The word, “exhort” here is not so much “to build up” as it is “to call near to comfort”. The goal of reproving and rebuking is never for the harm of the individual, but  (1) for the reputation of our Savior and our God, and (2) for the repentance and thus bringing back into right fellowship with their God and thus with His people. Number one can surely be accomplished. Number two has to do with the will and heart of the offender.