"Why Some Will Not Endure Sound Doctrine"

Larry R. Ping II

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     Paul penned “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” (II Tim. 4:3). Sound doctrine is that which is “healthy, wholesome and pure.” Sadly, some will not endure sound doctrine because...

    

     1. They Submit To Their Own Lusts. Such was alleged in II Tim. 4:3. Instead of wanting to hear what they need, they clamor to hear what they want. They yearn for preaching which makes them feel good, rather than for preaching which alerts them as to what they “must do” (Acts 9:6).

    

     2. They Have Itching Ears. Paul mentioned this in II Tim. 4:3. Those with these kinds of ears are those who only want to hear sermons about certain topics. They do not understand preaching needs to be balanced, witnessed by Paul’s words “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (II Tim. 4:2). People of God need to be as Cornelius who wanted to “hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:33). As said David, so say we, “I have respect unto all thy commandments” (Psa. 119:6).

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     3. They Have Selective Hearing. Paul said some “shall turn away their ears from the truth” (II Tim. 4:4). The wise man warned “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination” (Prov. 28:9). Many today like to hear the “positive” things of God’s Word, subjects like grace, mercy, hope and Heaven. The same individual, though, will show disdain to topics like obedience, accountability, responsibility and Hell. This cannot be so! What we want to declared is “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

    

     4. They Have A Fondness For Fables. Paul cautioned some will “be turned unto fables” (II Tim. 4:4). The word “fable” here carries with it the suggestion of declaring inanimate objects real, or of making something false true. This happens when listeners are turned away by the “wisdom of men” (I Cor. 2:5). The Apostle informed his readers “the world by wisdom knew not God” (I Cor. 1:21). When the world and its teachings are permitted to subvert the mind, the bending to fables begins. Let it not be so.

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     5. They Have No Hunger For Righteousness. This is so even though the Lord said “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6). Some just have a very low appetite for truth and solid Gospel preaching. They would prefer to hear the stories, jokes and anecdotes. Some today are like Naaman of old who preferred to dip in his own rivers rather than the Jordan (II Kings 5:12). Yet others are as the rich, young man who “went away sorrowful” (Matt. 19:22) after hearing the truth. We should be as the Psalmist and say “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors” (Psa. 119:24).

    

     6. They Have No Desire To Walk In The Truth. They have adopted the indifferent and apathetic attitude of the Laodiceans of whom it was said “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:16). Some have become as those of old who were “not at all ashamed” (Jer. 6:16) of sin. God’s people always show concern and interest in the Divine Word!

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