Why “Tickling the Ear” in the Pulpit Has Become Popular
The Apostle Paul warned Timothy of a coming shift in preaching when he wrote, “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.” – 2 Timothy 4:3 (KJV) That time is no longer approaching; it is here.
A Culture That Craves Comfort Over Conviction
Modern Culture is built on convenience, affirmation, and instant gratification. This mindset has crept into the church. Many no longer want to be challenged, corrected, or confronted by the Word of God. They want sermons to soothe, not sanctify; encourage, but never examine.
Tickling the ear offers messages that feel good without demanding repentance, change, or obedience. It promises blessing without the cross, glory without suffering, and salvation without lordship.
Popularity Has Replaced Faithfulness
In many pulpits, success is now measured by attendance, applause, online views, and giving, not by spiritual fruit or transformed lives. Preachers feel pressure to keep people happy ratherthan holy. Hard truths risk empty seats, so they are softened, skipped, or redefined.
Jeremiah faced the same issue in his day: “They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace” – Jeremiah 6:14 (KJV)
A Fear of Offending Rather Than a Fear of God
The fear of man has replaced the fear of the Lord. Messages about sin, judgment, hell, repentance, and holiness are often avoided because they might offend modern sensibilities. Yet Jesus Himself offended religious crowds, confronted sin directly, and preached repentance boldly.
When pulpits seek cultural approval more than divine approval, truth becomes negotiable.
Entertainment Has Replaced Exposition
Preaching in many places has shifted from proclaiming the Word to performing for an audience. Stories, humor, and motivational speeches take precedence over Scripture. The Bible is quoted briefly, but rarely explained deeply.
Paul told Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” -2 Timothy 4:2 (KJV) That command leaves little room for shallow, crowd-pleasing messages.
The Rise of Consumer Christianity
Church is now treated like a product, and congregants like customers. If people don’t “like” the message, they simply go elsewhere. This has trained preachers to cater rather than shepherd, to entertain rather than equip.
Jesus, however, often thinned the crowd by speaking truth plainly (John 6:66). He never adjusted truth to keep followers.
The Cost of Ear-Tickling Preaching
When preaching lacks truth and conviction:
- Sin goes unchallenged
- Repentance becomes optional
- Holiness fades
- Discernment weakens
- Spiritual maturity stalls
A church fed on shallow truth may be full, but it is fragile.
A Call Back to the Whole Counsel of God
God is once again calling His ministers to stand in the pulpit with holy boldness, to preach truth in love, but without compromise. The answer is not cruelty or pride, but courage and faithfulness.
Paul declared, “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” – Acts 20:27 (KJV)
Tickling the ear has become popular because truth has become costly. But the church does not need more popular preachers — it needs faithful ones. The world may applaud ear-ticklers, but heaven honors truth-tellers.
May the pulpit once again thunder with conviction, burn with holiness, and shine with truth, regardless of the cost.