Titus 2:1 “But as for you teach what accords with sound doctrine.”
What is “sound doctrine”? Why did Paul stress the importance of teaching and holding to “sound doctrine” in so many of his letters? Paul knew the importance of the Word of God and the fact that “all scripture is breathed out by God” and Paul knew that the truth of God should never be altered, even in the smallest way. Paul continually warned churches about false teachers and those who taught only to gain riches and fame for themselves. These false teachers said what people wanted to hear and what sounded good. Paul taught the unfiltered truth from God, which can be difficult to hear at times but is something that refines, molds and builds character to be more like Jesus. Paul stressed sound doctrine in his writings because he knew that the truth of sound doctrine was so powerful that it could transform lives and give hope to humanity. Paul was also very careful to make sure others never watered down the power of God and his amazing character. The false teachers during Paul’s day were regularly trying to alter the truth of God, which ultimately affected how the nature and character of God was communicated and led many to lose sight of God’s hope for mankind. Looking back over the writings of Paul from thousands of years ago, what does this mean for us today? Has his emphasis on teaching sound doctrine changed? Short answer: No, the message and truth of what Paul was saying two thousand years ago about teaching sound doctrine has not changed in the slightest. Why? Because we still have people today trying to alter the truth of God just as they did in Paul’s day. It is vital for believers today to read and study the word of God so that we know what God has communicated about his nature and character.
The Bible is the sound doctrine that Paul fought so hard to defend and we must train ourselves to know it cover to cover so that our faith will be built on truth alone, and also to help teach those who might not understand it yet. We must take Paul’s message of holding to and teaching sound doctrine very seriously, because he lived and died for it. The Truth in the Bible is the very breath of God. God’s Word tells us about who he is, his character, and how he wants his people to live, so why would we want this message to get skewed? Why wouldn’t we do everything we can to protect and teach what is sound doctrine?
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Whatever you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
