Are you enduring sound doctrine or justifying sin? Let’s explore together.
We live in a time when many no longer listen to or follow sound doctrine. Instead of letting Scripture shape their lives, people twist it to justify whatever they want to believe. If a behavior isn’t explicitly forbidden in the Ten Commandments, someone will find a way to claim it’s acceptable because “God is love”—as if that’s the whole story. But is that true? Have you fallen into this dangerous trap?
A Warning from Paul
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
—2 Timothy 4:1-5 (ESV)
Paul’s warning to Timothy describes exactly what is happening today. Many churches have shifted from preaching repentance and truth to offering messages that make people feel good. Instead of calling sin what it is, they redefine it—or worse, celebrate it. When people don’t like what the Bible says, they seek out teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. But as believers, we must remain anchored in God’s truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
The Trend of Twisting Scripture
This trend isn’t new, but it has become more widespread and blatant. Churches, leaders, and everyday Christians are using Scripture to justify actions that are completely against God’s commands. We must be careful. If we stop enduring sound doctrine, we may find ourselves standing against God without even realizing it.
Even as a believer, I’ve found myself caught up in worldly thinking. A few years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to speak out on issues from a biblical perspective. But instead of staying grounded in God’s truth, I got swept into political arguments. Before I knew it, my focus had shifted from biblical principles to personal opinions. It’s easy to fall into that trap, and I know I’m not immune to it happening again.
Are You Standing on Truth?
Do you know what sound doctrine is? Are you certain your beliefs align with God’s Word? It’s easy to assume we are on the right path without ever truly testing what we believe.
I challenge you: take one of your beliefs—just one—and compare it to Scripture. Not just the verses that seem to support it, but the full teaching of the Bible. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where your thinking needs to change. If your belief aligns 100% with Scripture, test it further by discussing it with other mature believers. Let them challenge you, and be willing to adjust if needed.
The world is full of deception. Many people misquote the Bible, sometimes in subtle ways, and other times in obvious ones. Paul warned about this in another passage:
“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”
—Romans 1:28-32 (ESV)
Look at that list carefully. Do any of these sins describe your thoughts, words, or actions? Worse yet, have you approved of these behaviors in others?
Stay Anchored in Christ
My goal is simple: to point people—especially those who call themselves Christians—back to Christ. He died for sinners like me, and He died for you, too. The good news is that His grace is available to all who turn to Him in repentance.
I fail often, but I keep striving. I surround myself with people who hold me accountable and push me closer to God. I encourage you to do the same. Stand firm in sound doctrine, test everything against Scripture, and never trade truth for comfort. Jesus is coming soon—let’s be ready.
– Spread the gospel – lives depend on it!
– I pray, MARANATHA! (Come quickly, Lord Jesus)
Your brother in Christ,
Duane
Read all of our Principles for Christian Living in the Last Days
Read the Bible Online – We recommend:
The ESV (English Standard Version) for reading
The NASB (New American Standard Bible) for in-depth study
