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 Timothy 4:3-4)

Paul here warns Timothy that, in the dangerous seasons of this age, many people would become intolerant of the confrontational, demanding preaching of God’s word.

Professing Christians, nominal believers, in the church follow their own desires and flock to preachers who offer them God’s blessings apart from his forgiveness, and his salvation apart from their repentance. They want to be entertained by teachings that will produce pleasant sensations and leave them with good feelings about themselves. Their goal is that men preach “to suit their own passions.” Under those conditions, people will dictate what men preach, rather than God dictating it by his word.

Commentary by John MacArthur