When I was younger, I remember my grandparents asking someone if their ears were burning, meaning that someone, possibly even they, had been talking about them behind their backs. Maybe my papa’s mother had heard someone gossiping about someone else at the mill or maybe a little bird told my grandmother. These commonly used idioms in their day were clearly understood by anyone listening. The Bible uses a similar phrase, itching ears, for someone who seeks a word of advice only from those who tell them what they want to hear.
Where do you turn for answers? What’s your first thought? Google search or God’s Word? People or prayer? YouTube or Yahweh? It’s a fair question. Even as I’m writing, I use the Look Up tool to check a definition, being sure that it’s the correct word in context. I use Google searches for additional reading and even to find the reference for a specific verse or lyrics for a hymn or worship song. These tools are fantastic and have their place, but they are no substitute for God’s Word hidden in my heart, (Psalm 119:111, II Timothy 3:16) His Holy Spirit alive in me, (John 16:13) and in those who call Jesus Lord. (Proverbs 9:9-10)
““You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life.
But the Scriptures point to me!
Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.
“Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you.
For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me.
Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them.
No wonder you can’t believe!
For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.”
John 5:39-44 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.5.39-44.NLT
When I have a question, who I ask depends on the question. I choose to seek advise from someone who knows more than I do, but also one who has expertise in a specific area. If I’m sick, I consult a doctor. If I have a tax question, I ask an accountant. When I have car trouble, I schedule an appointment with a mechanic. If I were to ask someone who I know doesn’t know, what does that say about me? If I ask the wrong person, I’ll get the wrong answer.
Sometimes someone may even tell me what they think I want to hear, maybe to endear themselves to me or for many other reasons, but If they are more confused than I am, it will be like the blind leading the blind. (Matthew 15:14) Worse still, they try to equate the truth with myths. Knowledge can be gained over time but truth, like laws of nature, remains the same.
We may have discovered new ways to interact with the natural laws but we have not managed to change forces such as gravity. Rockets have escaped earth’s gravitational pull but this does not mean we are free of gravity. Even in space, travel is affected by the gravitational pull of other heavenly bodies. We understand mass and force and we are able to manipulate matter but we cannot create something from nothing. Only God can speak and bring light from darkness or breathe life into dry bones or bodies formed from the dirt or a rib. (Genesis 1:3, Ezekiel 37:1-14, Genesis 2:7,22)
I remember sitting in an auditorium full of other college students near the end of a lecture, wanting to have a question to pose to the professor, but if I’m honest, I was more concerned about thinking up something impressive to ask rather than anything I was actually interested in. Who was I trying to impress? To the professor, I was no more than a name on a roster. I barely knew most of my classmates on sight, much less by name. Something in me wanted to look like the smartest one in the room. College and life in general has taught me the futility of that kind of thinking. Jesus said the approval of man meant nothing to Him. Why should it mean anything to me?
“Then the disciples came to him and asked,
“Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?”
Jesus replied,
“Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them.
They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.””
Matthew 15:12-14 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.15.12-14.NLT
“Those false teachers are so eager to win your favor, but their intentions are not good.
They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay attention only to them.”
Galatians 4:17 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.4.17.NLT
“When we aren’t thinking correctly, it is good to seek advice. But we shouldn’t get advice from people who just confirm our worst fears or affirm our wrong thinking.
Instead, we should be willing to take advice from people who will redirect our wrong thinking and help us make wise decisions.
Be selective in who you ask advice from, because if you are listening to bad advice, you will make bad decisions.”
-Zac Ethridge, From Rebellion To Exile, The Gospel Project, Leader Guide Volume 5 Fall ‘22, p.12; Lifeway Students
Be sure you ask the right questions and you’re consulting the expert. God is always the right person. Start with Him. He will lead you by His Spirit and His Word to your next step. He made us and He knows everything that can be known about us- mentally, physically, and spiritually. Do not trust another human without first consulting God. And once you have your answer, a bit of light on your next step, respond in obedience. As my mother’s grandfather once told her, don’t expect God to give you more until you’ve done something with what He’s already given you.
“Preach the word of God.
Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.
Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching.
They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”
2 Timothy 4:2-4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ti.4.3.NLT
Those days are here. We have access to more information at the touch of a button than ever in history, but how do we discern what is trustworthy and true?
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.
He will not rebuke you for asking.
But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.
Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”
James 1:5-8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.5-8.NLT
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.
Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Philippians 4:8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/php.4.8.NLT
Because another day is coming.
“Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders.
And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”
And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.
They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.””
Revelation 5:11-13 NLT
A Fitting Reply 