There are many voices these days all vying to be heard. There are leaders, teachers, promoters, hawkers, politicians, etc., and every one of them has a message. Who should we listen to?

First of all, we must look at ourselves. The Apostle Paul warns, "To suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Timothy 4:3).

We can have ears that itch to hear flattery, empty promises, or words to soothe our conscience, declaring that we are victims and that all that is wrong with us is the fault of someone else. Our ears crave any message that gives us what we think we want with no attendant responsibility.

When Jesus Christ the Son of God walked the earth, He taught the people on many occasions. Great crowds gathered around Jesus everywhere He went. The crowds followed and stayed close because of the miracles and the times of abundance of food; but more than anything, the people crowded around Jesus to hear His words.

In Matthew 7:28-29, we read, "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law." Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, so His words were the very words of God.

There is something in every person that craves reality. The writer of the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes tells us that "He [God] has also set eternity in the hearts of men" (Eccl. 3:11). God's message might scathe us, in that we are confronted in thought and deed, but we know it is right because it strikes chords deep within our being.

We will all pull for the underdog, and we all love a champion. God willingly puts Himself in both roles. Satan is a created being and can do nothing without God's permission; but, for a while, God is allowing Satan much power.

In John 14:30, Jesus referred to Satan as "the prince of this world." We see evil abounding all around us. We see wicked people prospering and seemingly living "the good life." The messages of judgment and justice ring true because we want to have a champion who will deliver us and set all things right.

Who is worth listening to? It is the person who tells us the truth.

What is truth? The only truth is the Word of Almighty God, which is the Bible. We can find that truth for ourselves either by reading and studying the Bible or by listening to someone who is teaching the Bible.

We do have the responsibility to be sure that what the Bible teacher is saying lines up with what the Bible says. There was a group of people who lived in the city of Berea who were said to be noble because they continually checked what the Apostle Paul was saying against the words of the Bible (Acts 17:11).

So be careful with your ears. Be sure you are seeking out truth. Tune out the flatterer and the one who would make you think you are a victim.