The apostle Paul warned of a time when people would no longer endure sound doctrine. Because of their lusts, they would actively seek after teachers who turned them unto fables. In fact, much of this is accomplished by people using the truth as a source for teaching things contrary to the very truth they supposedly uphold. Far too frequently people have been turned away from the truth in the name of truth. These Bible teachers elevate themselves as the authority while creating fables generally based upon certain verses of scripture. The tragedy may begin subtly, but eventually, many people seek after these teachers rather than scripture. This is why Paul admonished Timothy to “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2) to delay the onset of this spiritually desolate period.
False teachers are extremely dangerous because they undermine truth! Their rotten fruit may not surface for some time, but when allowed to continue unchecked, they will deceive individuals, whole families, and good churches. Paul warned Titus that such teachers had already seen some success and that their mouths must be stopped. Regretfully, whole houses had already been subverted with the false teachers still at work. A similar situation is recorded in Acts 15:24 where the saints of God were “troubled” by the words of false teachers. There is no telling how many of God’s people have walked away from sound doctrine because of false teachers. Worse yet, how many souls are burning right now in hell because they trusted in a false gospel?
As the world, the flesh, and the Devil war against the truth and those who propagate the truth, believers must determine to hold fast to the very words under attack. The apostle Paul expressed this truth to two young preachers. The verse above shows that Paul admonished Timothy to “hold fast the form of sound words” which he had heard from Paul. He also admonished Titus and all those desiring the office of a bishop to hold “fast the faithful word” (Titus 1:9). As the battle for men’s minds and souls rages, the ultimate objective is to get believers to turn loose of the words of life. Those desiring to deceive use various means with the propagation of false doctrine being one of their primary tools. Each believer must diligently hold fast the faithful, sound words given by God.
God wants everyone to be firmly established in sound doctrine. The more time an individual spends in his Bible, the better grounded in truth he becomes. With the importance placed upon establishing believers, God warned about being “carried about with divers and strange doctrines” (Hebrews 13:9) and about being “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). The Devil hates Christians who become rooted and grounded in the truth. This is why he weakens and destroys believers by propagating doctrines contrary to scripture. Men may be the facilitators of false doctrines but the ultimate plan of deception is crafted by the Devil himself.
The Bible clearly points out that by God’s grace the apostle Paul laid the foundation which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. All those who have come after the apostle Paul have built upon that foundation. It is with this in mind that Paul warned believers to take heed how they built upon the foundation. The foundation has been laid, and no other foundation can be laid, but each believer must carefully examine the means by which he builds upon Christ. Not only should believers take heed to their daily walk, but self-examination is also necessary in their manner of service for the Lord Jesus Christ. Each believer should search the scriptures to ensure that his efforts glorify the Lord. Far too much effort is self-serving and selfish and not God-centric. Self-examination helps define one’s motives.
