What is “doctrine”? Is it something you should be concerned about? According to dictionary.com, it is “a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government.” Obviously, government doctrines influence the laws that impact your life on Earth. That means religious doctrine impacts your life after Earth. So, doctrine is critically important and something everyone should be seriously concerned about!
What does the Bible say about doctrine?
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Bible was given to us by the Lord for our good. Do not miss that the first thing the Scripture is useful for is doctrine, that is teaching about God, man, life, Heaven, Hell, etc. from God’s point of view. It is obvious that, since the Lord is God, He knows more than humans. So His Word and His teachings are the right ones we should live by. They are profitable for us, whereas human ideas about religion are in error and not profitable because they are based on lack of knowledge.
Sadly, many people who call themselves Christians do not know true doctrine, and become victims of false doctrine. This is because they do not study the Bible. Once you accept false teaching, the truth of the Bible doesn’t seem right because you have been deceived. The Apostle Paul predicted such when he wrote,
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 away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Do you or anyone you know believe fables instead of God’s Word? Today’s fables include evolution, reincarnation, psychic abilities, and ideas such as Jesus promising earthly wealth. These false doctrines are appealing because they put humans at the center of the universe and promise you can get what you want. If they even acknowledge the divine, it is to get God to serve you! Do you really think people who believe such things will have a nice time on judgement day? Just how bad is this problem? We’ll find out next month.