I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

{2 Timothy 4:1-5, NASB}

There is a holy fear that comes over me when I read this passage of scripture.

I’ve been studying 2 Timothy this week, and it is stirring my soul so much. Verses three and four in particular (bolded above) have been replaying in my thoughts the last few days.

Bible Study 1 © by DrGBB

We need truth.

There is a profound need for truth today. We live in a world filled with so many lies and deceptions that if we aren’t careful, we naturally begin to take on those mannerisms as well.

The Apostle John warned against taking on the nature of this world (1 John 2:15-17). It’s easy to slip into such habits without even realizing it.

This is why we must feast on our daily Bread–the Word of God.

Hiding the Word of God in our hearts and minds is a necessity.

Would you go for weeks without eating a single bite of food? Most likely not. If anything, we gorge and fill ourselves with all sorts of earthly desires. Yet, how often do we fail to sit down to a single serving of the Word during a twenty-four hour period? I’ve been guilty of this way too much.

If we don’t read and study the Word, how can we expect to know the truth?

Do you search for truth when you have questions? Or do you rely on the sermons and Bible studies you get from church?

We need church (Hebrews 10:25). We need to hear the Word of God preached (Hebrews 10:14-17) and rightly divided. But we also need to realize that it’s time to roll up our sleeves, sit down at God’s table, and dig into the good things He has for us.

It’s time to hide His Word in our hearts.

When God calls my attention to something that needs refining within myself, it isn’t easy. In fact, if anything it’s pretty difficult. Who wants someone, let alone God, to point out flaws and weaknesses? Not me.

But if I want to learn and grow in His kingdom, I have to be willing to humble myself when He speaks to me and say, “Okay, Lord…I see. I’m sorry. Change me. Show me how to straighten my walk before You.”

I don’t want anyone to preach or teach or tell me things they think I want to hear. That’s falsehood. It isn’t real. It isn’t truth.

These are the last days. And when my Savior returns, I want to hear Him say, “My child, well done.”

I don’t want to be led astray by false doctrine or unsound teaching that is not based on God’s Word. And if that means I have to devote more time and energy into studying the Bible, then that’s what I will do. Because His Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11).

I don’t want my ears to be tickled.

I need truth. I need the Word of God settled in my bones. I need the Word–alive, moving, shaping, and changing me into His perfect will.