We Must Embrace God’s Truth and Stand Against Those Who Oppose It
In writing to Timothy and Titus, Paul teaches them about the importance of sound doctrine. As ministers, they tell other people about the good news of Jesus. It’s therefore critical that they do so using sound doctrine.
Paul’s Instructions to Timothy
Paul gives Timothy a lengthy list of what is contrary to sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:9-11).
It’s a wide-ranging inventory that includes lawbreakers, rebels, murderers, slave traders, and liars. It also covers sexually immoral people and those practicing homosexuality. These actions are all contrary to sound doctrine. Paul says so.
Later Paul writes to Timothy that the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.
Instead they’ll flock to teachers who tell them what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). It certainly seems as though this time has come, that we’re living in the days when people will not accept sound doctrine.
Paul’s Instructions to Titus
Less there be any doubt, Paul tells Titus that he must teach sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). This doesn’t only apply to Titus and all ministers, it also applies to church leaders, such as elders.
Among many noble characteristics, church leaders must hold to the truth and encourage others through sound doctrine, as well as to counter the cynics (Titus 1:5-9).
What Is Sound Doctrine?
We can look at various translations of the Bible to glean a better understanding of what sound doctrine means. Most use the phrase sound doctrine. Another common rendering is sound teaching.
Other considerations are good teaching, true teaching, God’s true message, wholesome doctrine, accurate teachings, healthy doctrine, wholesome teaching, and solid teaching. My favorite, however, is simply calling it truth.
Sound doctrine is God’s truth. We find God’s truth in Scripture.
The Opposite Is Heresy
In contrast to sound doctrine—which we don’t hear used too often—is heresy. Heresy is the opposite of sound doctrine. We hear a lot about heresy and those who hold heretical views.
People often throw out the label of heretic to refer to everyone who disagrees with them.
But the true meaning of heretic is someone who holds unorthodox views in contrast to established teachings, specifically what the Bible says. In this regard a heretic is someone who disagrees with what the Bible teaches about God.
If heresy is the opposite of sound doctrine, then heresy is the opposite of sound teaching, good teaching, true teaching, God’s true message, wholesome doctrine, accurate teachings, healthy doctrine, wholesome teaching, solid teaching, and God’s truth.
False Teachers and False Prophets
Not only does Paul warn Timothy against people who teach false doctrines, Peter also forewarns that false teachers will be among us. They’ll stealthily interject destructive heresies, even to the point of blasphemy (2 Peter 2:1).
More commonly than mentioning false teachers, the Bible talks about false prophets. Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, and Micah all speak about false prophets.
Jesus also warns about false prophets (Matthew 7:15, Matthew 24:11, Matthew 24:24, and Mark 13:22).
John writes that we must be careful what we believe and test what people say. This is because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).
Finally, as we read in Revelation, false prophets will still be among us at the end of time. But they will at last be defeated.
Sound Doctrine
These false teachers and false prophets disregard sound doctrine. They teach heresy, which we must avoid. We do this by knowing what the Bible teaches and stand against all who proclaim something contrary to Scripture.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
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