2 Timothy 3:16-17

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Dwight Moody wrote the following of this verse: "This Scripture is not given for our information but for our transformation."

Why do we need to be transformed? Paul tells us just a few verses later when in verse 3 of chapter 4 he tells us, "For the time will come when men 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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

I love the characterization that we will have "itching" ears that hear only what we want to hear. How true that is. My wife and I are caring for our church's library at the present and with that comes the great joy of selecting what goes into the collection. So we spend time reviewing many books and I can tell you there is a lot of "scratching" of itchy ears going on.

When I go into one of the big book stores and browse through their "religious" section, I expect to find many non-Christian materials mixed in amongst the good stuff. But when you visit one of the "Christian" sellers of books, you can find the same stuff, cleverly disguised to trap unsuspecting marginal Christians. They are easily fooled because they have not taken Paul's charge in 2 Timothy 3:16 to heart. Indeed, they do not know the truth. I have often wondered what would happen if my pastor taught something that was false on a Sunday morning. Would the congregation call him to account or would they walk out saying, " Nice sermon today, Reverend."

Perhaps a better question could be: Would you notice?

Blessings

Mark