Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "itching". It's only found once in the entire Bible, but it's a very important word to know for growing up in the things of God! 2 Timothy 4:3-4:

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. KJV

This is the Greek word "knetho" (knay'-tho). Strong's Concordance says: to tickle. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to scratch, make to itch. The Exegetical Dictionary NT says this: in order to have their ears tickled. The Amplified Bible says this for verses 3-4:

3 For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, 4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. AMP

In order to really grow to maturity in the Word of God, we must be as ready to hear the Word of correction as we are to hear the promises and encouragements! Proverbs 3:12 says this:

12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Sometimes it isn't just correction that people won't receive. It may be a pet doctrine that they have or belief that they are unwilling to let go of, even if it contradicts the Word of God. I remember that from the very first meeting that our Pastor taught when they came home from Tulsa, he instructed everyone to NOT believe what he was teaching until we checked it out in our own Bibles to see if it was so. Just like the Bereans from Acts 17:10-11:

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

So, having "itching ears" will lead someone to search for those who teach what they want to hear, rather than searching for those who teach what the Word of God says! I am glad that He led you and Kristine to a church that teaches the Word! Knowing the Word will set us free and keep us free (John 8:31-32)! Here is another newsong from Hillsong UNITED called "Shape Of Your Heart":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!