1 Tim 4:6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
I have been privileged to study and observe what is taught by various churches and the life of the people. I concluded that the doctrine of a people determines their life style and character to a large extent. I know a church where polygamy is not frowned against. There, it is common to see polygamy from the pulpit to the pew.
Also, the doctrine of an institution determines the spirits that will operate their. For instance, in a place where people are taught that God can say anything that cannot be substantiated in scriptures, wrong spirits prophesy in such places.
I heard about a woman who was prophesied to that she must have a man friend. She took it as a word from God and Satan got her one. She accepted that ungodly path because the doctrine she has listened to doesn't negate it.
What is doctrine? A doctrine is that which is taught. It is a belief or set of beliefs that are fundamental.True bible doctrine is fundamental and universal. It cuts across denominational lines.
Institutions and government of nations have doctrines they expect their subjects to live by.
In God's kingdom, we have bible doctrines which are fundamental to our faith in Christ. Those doctrines are to shape the life of everyone in God's kingdom.
Paul charges Titus, “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Why is sound doctrine so important?
Your walk with God is based on the accurate understanding of sound doctrine. What you believe affects what you do. Your doctrine determines your character. It determines the kinds of spirits you'll listen to.
Oftentimes, I see people bothered about why we have proliferation of churches without a marked increase in godliness among the people that profess our faith.
We only need to check what is taught in most church centres. True doctrines of the bible properly taught and explained always lead to godliness.
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (1 Timothy 6:3 KJV).
New Living Translation of that portion of scripture reads this: "Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome TEACHINGS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. THESE TEACHINGS( doctrines) PROMOTE A GODLY LIFE (1 Timothy 6:3 NLT Emphasis mine)
The central message of the bible is Christ. As apostle Paul said, the teachings( doctrines) of the Lord Jesus Christ promote godly life.
Where there's dearth of godliness, it is obvious there's dearth of sound doctrine.
Knowing sound biblical doctrine is to your spiritual life what balanced diet is to your physical body.
The moment you start learning sound bible doctrines, your life will begin to conform to the image of Christ. That's the goal of doctrine.
If you're often confused about the truths of scriptures and tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, that may be a pointer to the lack of sound doctrine in your life.
Knowing sound doctrine is the only way to ascertain truth in a world of falsehood.
Wrong doctrines comes as a wave that toss people to and fro but sound doctrines establishes and stabilizes. To get a good supply of sound doctrine, stay under teachers that value the teaching of scriptures from the pulpit.
Do not seek after sensational and motivational sermons that blend human philosophy and psychology with scriptures. True bible sermon is not another "feel good" speech. It is meant to transform us into the image of Christ.
The new testament church is God's training school where bible doctrines should be taught. Seek to learn doctrine so you can get a rich supply of what is missing in your faith.
Father, I receive the grace to learn sound doctrine in Jesus name