2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Tim. 4:2-5, NKJV).
Notice that Paul did not say God’s Word must be accommodated to every new concept that comes along. What he said was, “Preach the word!” Thus, there’s something quite suspicious about Christians who turn their sail to every wind that blows. Such will be “tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, [who] in cunning craftiness…lie in wait to deceive” (Eph. 4:14).
Consequently, let us thank God for hardheaded preachers who do not have to test the winds of public sentiment before they decide what they are going to preach. Thank God for hardheaded preachers who will “Preach the word!” Thank God for hardheaded preachers who will “be ready in season and out of season.” Thank God for hardheaded preachers who will “convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” Thank God for hardheaded preachers who, with God’s help, will save not only themselves, but those that hear them (1 Tim. 4:16).
8 Behold I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. 9 Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house (Ezek. 3:9-9, NKJV).