The importance of sound doctrine

People who desire to beautify themselves with diamonds sometimes use the timeless counterfeit, cubic zirconia. But now, scientists can create real diamonds in a laboratory. And they are so good that gemologists have trouble recognizing laboratory diamonds from mined ones. To tell them apart, an expert’s checklist is used: weight, colour, clarity, and brilliance. Without it, an imposter could pretend a two-day-old diamond is one that took thousands of years to develop. The same is true with spiritual truth. If Christians don’t know their Bibles, spiritual imposters can pass off all manner of lies as truth. It’s not enough for someone to do miracles in Jesus’ name. “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not…done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me’” (Matthew 7:22-23 NKJV). The Bible says that even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. Paul warned, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT). The Bible uses the word doctrine fifty-five times. That’s how important it is. We need to have the desire of a diamond expert – a desire not to be deceived. If careful examination, study, and care are taken in determining the quality of a precious stone, how much more should the same effort be applied to the precious Word of God?