Day: April 2, 2025

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Those who desire to be seen and heard have to contribute—even if their contribution is worth nothing. They must do or say something—though it is pointless or meritless. “Freedom of speech” is an expression recognizable and regularly mentioned here in the United States, but it is a constitutional right that should be exercised responsibly. Just because we have the right to say it does not automatically mean we should say it. I can tell everyone I meet, “I am an idiot!” Yet, would it be sensible for me to do so? Of course not! Likewise, we have the liberty to teach false doctrine, but is it proper or worthwhile?

In Paul’s farewell epistle to Timothy, 2 Timothy, the Apostle penned in verses 3 and 4 of chapter 4, “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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” These people are not interested in wholesome, healthy, reliable teaching worthy of their trust. Instead, their agenda is to locate and accumulate teachers who will tell them just what they want to hear (namely, a lie). Why would people prefer to hear lies? The lie feels good. It gives them a sense of false hope, confirming what they have already made up their mind to believe. To trust the truth would mean recanting the lie, so they dare not change their ways!

The ultimate lie is to substitute the creature for the Creator, man being seen and heard instead of God. Second Timothy chapter 3, verses 2 and 4: “For men shall be lovers of their own selves,… lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;….” Of course, this is Romans 1:25, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Here is our present evil world, leading to the one final lie yet to come….