A Vicious Cycle

Looking at all the harsh words for the shepherds back in the Old Testament, one has to wonder where the responsibility on the part of the sheep comes in. Of course, each person is responsible for their own spiritual condition, yet they are somewhat less responsible for their shepherds. Granted, if you don’t like your pastor you can switch churches (that can get very ugly though), but how does this all fit together?

I eventually realized that it comes from Itching Ear Syndrome, for as we see in Second Timothy 4:3, the people will heap up teachers that will feed the syndrome:

“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.” Second Timothy 4:3-4 KJV

So the sheep grab teachers that will tell them what they want, the teachers/shepherds do so, which breeds more of the syndrome, which causes them to get more teachers to tell them what they want, the teachers/shepherds do so…

And it all leads to a church that seems fairly unaware of the massive judgment that awaits. Yes, many realize that the judgment will hit in the tribulation (or at least the wrath), but of course we’ll be raptured away so we don’t have to deal with it. Indeed, the judgment really starts with the church:

“12: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14: If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15: But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16: Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18: And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19: Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” First Peter 4:12-19 KJV

We also see the responsibility of God’s people, although it was specifically OT Israel in this case:

“If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Second Chronicles 7:13-14 KJV

That’s a big if, sadly. What if God’s people don’t humble themselves and pray? It would seem that they would be responsible for the lack of healing in the land, for their humility, prayer, seeking, and forsaking is what causes God to hear from heaven and answer. Even more than trying to get new converts, as important as that is, the church must do these things. Indeed, if God’s people do not turn from their wicked ways, what lasting good will there be for more to come in? They’ll be more likely to learn the wicked ways than the humility, prayer, and seeking.