Take Heed to the Doctrine

January – March 2024

In 2010, I wrote this article amidst concerns about false doctrine infiltrating the body of Christ. Today, with the widespread presence of even more erroneous teachings, a reprint seems appropriate.

I Timothy 4:6, 16 tells us, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”

Unfortunately, there is a lot of flaky doctrine being taught in the name of truth. Anytime you take a scripture out of context, you end you with a pretext (a reason for doing as you please). This is nothing new; the Apostle Paul had to deal with the same issues.

Perilous Times and Perilous Men

II Timothy 3:1-5 says, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” There are those who have a form of godliness, professing to be Christians but do not manifest God’s power that can save them. Such people tolerate immorality within their churches and teach that a person may practice sin and yet inherit the kingdom of God. We are instructed to turn away from such people! (II John 1:9- 11, Titus 1:9-11, Galatians 1:6-9)

Another example is found in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”

I John 3:4 tells us that sin is lawlessness. Lawlessness is disregard for or acting contrary to God’s word. Lawless then shows a lack of reverential fear of God and His word!

Hebrews 3:12-13 says, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

It is a reverential fear and obedience to God’s word that will enable us to have our lives built on Jesus (the Rock) and endure to the end (Isaiah 11:33 AMP, Matthew 10:22; Matthew 7:24-29).

II Timothy 4:1-4 speaks of those who would not endure sound doctrine. Verses 3-4 say, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.”

What Do We Do?

Do what the Bereans did! They received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures every day to see if what the Apostle Paul said was true (Acts 17:11). No leader, regardless of the size of their following, is beyond such scrutiny. Indeed, Godly leaders welcome it. Any time someone claims a special revelation from God that doesn’t line up with scripture, run in the opposite direction as fast as you can! A spiritual foundation built on the Rock – the Word – Jesus, will save your life for eternity with God!

A Warning in Closing

“Also, from among yourselves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.