We have been in a period where people will no longer listen and adhere to sound doctrine. Scripture is used in ways to make most any behavior seem like it jives with Scripture. Think about it, unless it is specifically called out in the Ten Commandments, man has found a way to justify any and all other behaviors as “OK” because God is a loving God (which He is, but that’s not the full story!). Many have fallen into this dangerous trap, have you?
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NASB)
1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 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,
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Paul is encouraging Tmothy here as he passes the torch to continue to preach the Word, to reprove, rebuke, exhort with great patience and instruction.
There has been a trend in the church (institution) that follows this passage perfectly. It isn’t new, but it is definitely much more pronounced today. There are many today that spout scripture in support of things that are totally against God – we must be careful that we always endure sound doctine, lest we begin to stand against God.
I myself am guilty of getting caught up in the things of this world when my intention is to focus on the things of God. As I write this, we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and are still mostly staying at home and “social distancing”. I started a few weeks ago to voice my concerns from a Biblical perspective, but was drawn into the worldly political discussion and discovered that my Biblical views had been all but abandoned for my worldly political views. It is an extremely easy trap to get caught in, and I can’t promise I won’t get caught in it again.
Do you know what a “sound doctrine” is? Do you know if you have any beliefs that contradict what the Bible plainly says? I challenge you to look at just one of your beliefs and compare it to what the Bible says. Study with an open heart and pray that the Holy Spirit guide you to scriptures that might challenge that belief. Then work to reconcile your belief with what the Bible says. If your belief agrees with the Bible 100%, then take your belief to other Christians and have them test it.
The world today is full of deception and mis-quoting the Bible in extremely subtle (and some not-so-subtle) ways. Paul was to the point here, but this is not the only passage that discusses this.
Romans 1:28-32 (NASB)
28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;
32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
This is the danger that we face today. Do any of these describe any of your thoughts, words or actions?
My intention is to steer people (including proclaiming Christians) towards Christ, who mercifully died for a wretched person like me. He died for you, too.
I fail at my intention way to often, but I work on it and try to find people to keep me accountable.
– Spread the gospel – lives depend on it!
– I pray, MARANATHA! (Come quickly, Lord Jesus)
Your brother in Christ,
Duane
