“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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4, NIV)

I have a particular fondness for the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible. But I think these words from the Apostle Paul to his protégé Timothy are best consumed in the blunt vernacular of the New International Version (NIV).

The message is a warning – a warning about a spiritual pattern Paul declares will happen among people, particularly those within religious communities. This is yet another of his prophetic proclamations that has blatantly manifested in sects of the Christian church today.

The aggrieving party: Those factions of the church that stubbornly remain apologists for a POTUS that behaves in a manner contrary to the commands and living testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ – empowering, endorsing and encouraging disobedience that is scripturally and morally evil.

Consider what Paul means by “sound doctrine.” His epistles teach us that sound doctrine is rooted in the Gospel of Grace. It is not merely abstract theology but instruction that produces godliness and self-control. For Paul, true doctrine aligns with Scripture and manifests in a lifestyle that reflects Christ’s character. Love. Peace. Mercy. Kindness. Gentleness. Generosity. Humility. Truth.

Paul cautions that the transgressors will no longer pursue the righteousness of sound doctrine, but instead seek leaders who tell them what they want to hear – that they are not the aggrievers but the aggrieved. Those leaders are quite willing to manipulate the vulnerable for personal gain.

“In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.” (2 Peter 2:3)

That time has arrived.

Rather than illuminate God’s truth, these leaders – one POTUS and his self-serving sycophants, in particular – fan the flames of bigotries, misogynies and misplaced fears, leading the susceptible to “turn aside to myths.”

What myths? That minorities are stealing their jobs. The wealthy are overtaxed. The poor are lazy. The sojourner is a criminal. Elections are being stolen. Climate change is a hoax. Welfare is theft. Mercy is weakness. Retribution is honorable. Hate is justifiable. Love is overrated.

I plead with my brothers and sisters in Christ: Do not reject sound teaching. Do not turn from the truth of the Gospel even when it is uncomfortable. Do not be manipulated. Turn instead from the worthless shepherds that traffic in self-serving lies and venom. Stay rooted in Scripture. Love your neighbor. Follow the teaching and example of our Lord Jesus.

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