All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Truth hurts. It’s like ripping off a Band-Aid or stepping on a scale after the holidays (Guilty!). We often prefer the comfort of a lie over the sting of reality (Guilty, again!). This human tendency doesn’t stop at the church doors. Paul warned Timothy about a time when even believers would find sound doctrine intolerable. Guess what? That time is now.
Let’s be real for a moment. We live in an age of customization. We can tailor everything from our coffee orders to our burgers to our news feeds. Unsurprisingly, this à la carte mentality has seeped into our spiritual lives. We want a God who fits our preferences, not vice versa.
So why do we sometimes reject biblical truth? It’s simple: it challenges us. Sound doctrine confronts our secret sins, questions our comfortable assumptions, and demands change. Shopping around for a feel-good gospel that tells us what we want to hear is easier. We become spiritual consumers, picking and choosing beliefs like items off a menu.
Think about it. How often have you heard someone say, “Well, my God wouldn’t…” followed by something contradicting Scripture? Or “My Truth is…” or “Speak your truth?” We’re experts at creating a customized god who conveniently agrees with all our opinions and never asks us to do anything uncomfortable.
But here’s the thing: truth doesn’t care about our feelings. God’s Word remains true whether we accept it or not. When we reject sound doctrine, we’re not changing reality but just closing our eyes to it. It’s like ignoring the “Empty Fuel” light on your car telling you to refuel. The problem doesn’t go away; it just gets worse.
This rejection of sound doctrine isn’t always obvious. Sometimes it’s subtle. We might nod along with biblical teaching on Sunday but live as practical atheists Monday through Saturday. Or we might cherry-pick verses supporting our lifestyle while conveniently ignoring the ones challenging us.
Staying faithful to sound doctrine isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. It requires humility to admit we might be wrong and courage to change. We need to cultivate a love for truth that outweighs our love for comfort. This means regularly exposing ourselves to challenging teachings and being willing to wrestle with difficult passages of Scripture.
It won’t always be comfortable. There will be times when you read a passage of Scripture and think, “Really, God? Do you want me to do that? Do I have to?” But those moments of discomfort are often the prelude to profound spiritual growth. Embrace them.
Community plays a crucial role here. We need fellow believers who speak truth into our lives, even when uncomfortable. Iron sharpens iron, after all. Surround yourself with people who love God’s Word more than they love making you feel good. These friends will call you out when you’re straying and encourage you when you struggle to accept a brutal truth. In a world that increasingly calls evil good and good evil, we need believers grounded in sound doctrine more than ever.
This doesn’t mean we should be harsh or unloving in our approach to truth. Remember, Jesus was full of both grace and truth. We must hold firmly to sound doctrine while extending grace to those who struggle with it – including ourselves.
Godseekers, let’s commit to embracing sound doctrine, even when it’s hard. Remember, the truth that challenges us today is the truth that sets us free tomorrow. Don’t settle for a watered-down gospel. Dive deep into God’s Word, and let it transform you from the inside out.
Prayer
Lord, give us hearts that love Your truth more than our own comfort. Help us to embrace sound doctrine, even when it challenges us. Grant us discernment to recognize false teaching and the courage to stand firm in Your Word. May we be transformed by Your truth and reflect it to the world around us. Help us to approach Your Word with humility, ready to be shaped by it rather than trying to shape it to our preferences. And Lord, when we struggle with difficult truths, give us the perseverance to wrestle with them rather than reject them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- How can you foster a community that encourages adherence to sound doctrine?
- Can you think of a time when a biblical truth you initially resisted transformed your life for the better?
Step of Faith
Today, identify a biblical truth you’ve been struggling with. Instead of avoiding it, face it head-on. Study what Scripture says about it, pray for understanding, and discuss it with a mature believer. Remember, wrestling with truth leads to growth. Then, take it a step further: look for ways to apply this truth in your daily life this week. It might be uncomfortable at first, but embrace the discomfort as a sign of growth.
