Why we want our ears tickled...

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.(2 Tim 4:3-4)

I used to think this meant watered down preaching. 

I used to think if I couldn't feel something when I went to church, then I wasn't in the right church. 

I used to think that the church as a whole was legalistic, and lived a life of formalism like the pharisees. 

I used to be a real good Christian but now I know I was narrow minded, pious and basically a pharisee who thought because I could feel the Holy Spirit, and had a close relationship with the Father, I was somehow better than others. 

Now I know the truth.... 

True religion is all about Love, of course covering the scripture in James about taking care of the widows and fatherless, but it's about relationship. 

Relationship with others, but most importantly a relationship with our Father, and Lord Jesus Christ and submitting to his authority in our life through prayer, and reading his word. 
I am not perfect, I make mistakes, but God is awesome and he is my potter, molding me and making me into what he wants me to be. 

Love: 
A new commandment I give to you,that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.(John 13:34)

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”(Galatians 5:14)

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;(Romans 12:10)

Submission: 

I could go on and on about submission and what God has revealed to me about submitting to him but here is what the scripture say.

Romans 8:7 - Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.   

Romans 13:1 - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Hebrews 10:26 - For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Why are all the large churches just overflowing with members? They enjoy the worship, it gives them an hour or more of feel good, I went to church feeling. But that's just it. They are going for worship service and no more.  Most people don't want to really get involved and find that group, that Bible study to go to because then they have to share themselves with others and it's hard to share yourself with another, because what if they see the real you, the one that is imperfect and struggles? Well that is ok, if it's just barriers you have up, take them down and enjoy God's grace. But if you are hiding and you want to continue the secret sins and you are staying away because you refuse to repent(which means turn from) well we have a bigger problem.... you are afraid to give it over to God and submit to the higher power. Read Hebrews 10:26 again... 
God loves you and he desires you, 100%, he wants your life, he wants your light to be so bright, that others will want some of that light, because look around, there is  a lot of darkness. 
You will never be satisfied and fulfilled with giving over just 1hr of your time weekly, it's a relationship.... He wants to give you abundant life here on this earth in this hard day and age.... just submit to him, come to him. He wants all of you !!