Turning Aside to Myths

Scripture: For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Observation: Again Paul tells Timothy of the way people will respond to the gospel message. When it comes to the truth about Jesus, salvation, and the love of God, they will reject it and instead embrace "myths" and lies. When it comes to sound doctrine for how to live life, they will adamantly reject it ("not tolerate"), and instead will embrace other teachers who pronounce what they want to hear ... what aligns to their predisposed desires.

Application: I am full of emotion when it comes to Paul's predictions for how society behaves. I am encouraged by his prophetic accuracy, yet depressed by the reality of such attitudes by the masses. I am curious about how to continue the call of Jesus (as Paul explicitly instructs us to do in the very next verse, v5), yet frustrated by the knowledge of how others will react to the good news. I am uplifted by the knowledge of the truth, yet oppressed by the fact that lies will prevail in the hearts of many.

And I do not know how to escape this cycle, because I live in a time and place that too well aligns to these words.

Prayer: Lord, may your peace, your shalom, be upon me and my family this day, and every day. I seek your face. I care about others, and I thank you for the softening of my heart, but may your wisdom also show me how I can serve without sadness, speak without fear, and love without judgment. Amen.