Remember that it is those with the itching ears who gather to themselves these teachers. That is what 2 Timothy 4:3 says: For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

Those of us who were supporters of such people (mea culpa) were, at one time, seeking improper things from God. It is that lust that God caused us to repent of. Once that happened, we fled the stranger’s voice. Now, with clean hearts, we find them repugnant; for they are. For my part, I take my repentance as ongoing evidence of the sanctifying work of the Spirit in my life. For, His main task is to lead us away from our sinful flesh. That is what Romans 8:12-14 shows us about His leading.

Also, James is clear that we have not because we ask not. And, if we still do not receive, we are asking amiss. Having greed as our motive to receive is asking amiss. It is also double-mindedness as James points out in the first chapter about asking for wisdom in faith. He says not to let that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord. Greed causes us to be double-minded. Knowing this “plague of our hearts,” (1 Kings 8:38), greed, we turn to these man-made manipulations in an attempt to secure from God those things that He has denied otherwise. Of course, greed darkens our hearts to the truth that we are mocking Him and that He, being the omniscient God, is not fooled by our “tithing” and “first-fruits giving” or any other bribe or flattery. As long as we seek according to our lusts, He will allow strong delusions to be paraded in front of us through these clever-tongued con-men and women to see if we will go with them.

Jesus told us to watch out and beware of every form of greed (Luke 12:15). We cannot beware of what we do not recognize. God help us all!