Itching ears can be exasperating. Some persistently rub their hand over their itchy ear, hoping to find relief. Dangerously, some insert sharp objects to scrape the itchy area. For some, it is just a temporary irritation; for others, it can be a recurring condition. Sufferers long to have their ears soothed and relieved.
The Apostle Paul referred to this condition to make a spiritual application. Yes, there is such a thing as Spiritual Otitis Externa: ears that are spiritually itchy and want to hear soothing words from the pulpit —words that please them.
“Give us a message today that will produce pleasant sensations. Set the rigours of the Bible aside and leave us with a good feeling. Isn’t that what church is for – to be uplifting?”
One of the last recorded words of Paul is this solemn charge to Timothy:
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 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. 2 Timothy 4:2-3
There’s an interesting phenomenon known as ‘the pot calling the kettle black.’ The idiom simply means a person is guilty of the very thing of which they accuse others. Sometimes, we accuse others of giving an appealing sermon that soothes the itching ears of a particular segment of the audience, and we wrongly refer to the above verse. We want the speaker to touch on things we think others need to hear —
“Confront them — tell them in no uncertain terms that they don’t measure up. Nip it in the bud before it starts to gain traction. Tell it like it is, and no beating around the bush for them. No pandering to their desires.”
So when we perceive such a message has been given, we leave with a good feeling. Perhaps we even gave the speaker an “Amen” shout-out. Our own ears have been soothed because the wayward have been given a ‘dress-down’.
But when a message addresses some weaknesses among ourselves, and we are made to squirm on the hot seat – so often, it’s a different story. We want to hear what we think other people need to hear; but when our ears hear what others believe we need to hear, we get upset and long to have our own itching ears soothed. It almost sounds like a riddle but it is not. Think it through.
Paul, concerned about Spiritual Otitis Externa, did not command Timothy to preach messages that catered to old or young or pandered to the prim and proper or the fancies of the faithful or the traditional practices of the prudent or bowed to the opinions of those with influence.
Paul didn’t instruct Timothy to preach the preferences of people but rather — “Preach the Word.” Preach the Logos. Only The Word can effectively combat error. Only The Word can produce positive spiritual outcomes.
Paul was also careful to say how The Word was to be preached: not brashly, not with stabs or jabs, not harshly or impatiently, and definitely not off-the-cuff while hot under the collar.
Sometimes, we are a way off in our diagnosis. We allege that a Christian or an unsaved person rejected The Truth. We misdiagnose them as having itching ears. Sadly, the reality could be that they were only rejecting and reacting to the manner in which the Truth was communicated.
Many probably don’t even have Spiritual Otitis Externa. Most prefer to be addressed with respect. Often, we react and resent how something is said and our perceptions of why it was said — more than what is actually said. Most expect to see pulpit manners in keeping with the frequently mentioned “Christian manners” outlined in the New Testament.
The Apostle Paul called for a Christ-like approach to doctrinal teaching and corrective words — yes, even under the most extreme circumstances. Paul said a servant of the Lord must address his audience with gentleness, patience and meekness.
The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness… 2 Timothy 2:24-25 CSB
When using the Word of God to correct, rebuke, and encourage, it must always be done with great patience, careful instruction, and a Christ-like manner.
Read it here: My Journey to Christ – Marc MacArthur’s Personal Story
Perhaps we have sometimes been inaccurate in our diagnoses. The upset and offended believers of our day may not all be afflicted with the Spiritual Otitis Externa that Paul had in mind.
Don’t hesitate to share a thought from your personal experience or a verse that has been a blessing to you – in the comment section below. Or, if you would like to reach out privately, click below.
