Sound Doctrine
It is written:
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
(2 Timothy 4:2-4 KJV)
We are living in that time now and there is a lot of spiritual error around. It is more common than one might think as spiritual unsoundness is more popular than we would like to admit. The Lord Jesus Christ is coming back soon and it is no joke what is happening in the church today. Christ wants to come back for a pure spotless bride and there is much work to be done.
“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
(Ephesians 5:27)
God has placed the following leadership gifts in the body to help mature and prepare the church for His coming:
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
(Ephesians 4:11-13)
The Importance of Doctrine
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
(1 Timothy 4:16)
These preceding Scriptures outline how essential it is to teach and adhere to sound doctrine. It is saying that we have to continue therein to be saved! Those of a “once saved always saved” mindset might not want to acknowledge that fact, howbeit it is the word of God that has the final say on these matters.
Doctrine serves as a hedge or a guideline to keep us on the right track until we see Jesus, face to face. No wonder the Devil wants to pervert sound doctrine!
We see many within the church that foolishly pride themselves with the concept that doctrine is not important and that it only serves to divide the body of Christ—what foolishness! The very thing that serves as a guide to our souls, these people foolishly throw to the wind!
As well as that the Holy Spirit is our Teacher. What is He going to teach us? Well, sound doctrine of course; the word of God of course. Without it we are doomed!
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
(John 14:26)
Of course, our reliance is upon the Holy Spirit then also, because we can not understand spiritual things without His help. He is the Helper after all!
“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
(1 John 2:27)
It is the fool that thinks we don’t need sound doctrine; it is the fool that thinks we don’t need the Holy Spirit. We need both! We are at spiritual war and deception is a major weapon that the Devil uses against the church. Don’t think that the church is automatically immune to the attacks and deceptions of the enemy. We must put on the spiritual armour, pray and fight! Arm yourself!
“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
(Ephesians 6:11-18)
Stay in the word, stay in prayer, stand your ground and fight. Let us be men and women of sound doctrine and sound speech.
“Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”
(Titus 2:6-8)