Some people think that because God is merciful and loving, we don't need to worry about good doctrine. But this verse clearly tells us that it is important. Others think the only thing that matters is how we live our life. God does not give us a choice of having good doctrine or living a good life. He tells us very clearly that both are essential. I Timothy 4:16 commands us to "Take heed to thyself, and unto thy doctrine." The rest of the verse tells us how important it is to do both and what results it will bring: "continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." God has chosen to deliver us from sin by paying attention to both our life style and to correct doctrine.
God warns us in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 "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."
Everyone has a tendency to think their doctrine is sound, and that this verse applies to everyone who differs with them. At the Moody Bible College, they used to have a rule that a man's hair could not touch his ears, nor could he have a moustache or a beard. Yet everyday thousands of students walked past a portrait of their founder, D.L Moody, who had all the above. They never realized the contradiction between their religious rules and the fact that D.L. Moody would not have been able to go to his own school now. Like them, we also walk on by the Scriptures and don't even realize the contradictions between what it says, and the religious rules we are going by.
God knows how easily we can be deceived by our emotions, and by our religious leaders. And yet he wants us to know Him for who He really is! He wants us to be able to obey Him. And because He cares so much about this, God put His opinions down in writing. The Word of God is to be our standard to compare with everything we are taught, feel, and believe.
Check us out- for sure. We aren't perfect, and we really want the help if you see any error. We really mean that. And check yourself out, to make sure you are willing to see truth and respond to it. Acts 17:11 tells us the Bereans "were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Make sure you are ready to search out truth and apply it to your own life.
Current Articles
1 Timothy 1 Study Notes (indepth)
1 Cor. 11-Hair Length and Head Coverings?
Letter from an atheist
Also see our "Church" and "Gospel" sections for more doctrine.
Future Topics
Enemies of Good Doctrine
Authority?
Family Roles
Tithing
Calvinism
Are Children Really a Blessing?
Borrowing
How to Help our Doctrine