Author: Gary Witcher

Sound Doctrine

	"And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness," Paul cautions in Ephesians 5:11-16, "but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.  But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.  For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'  Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil."
	This passage warns us to be awake.  It tells us to be careful how we walk.  But how many of us today are heeding these instructions?  How diligent are we in knowing, practicing and teaching sound doctrine?  Would we even be able to tell the difference between sound and unsound doctrine?
	For one thing, sound doctrine must come from the right source.
	"You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of," Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:14-17, "knowing from whom you have learned {them}; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
	Sound doctrine comes from the right source, and that source is the Bible.
	"Therefore, to one who knows {the} right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin," we find in James 4:17.
	"But he who doubts is condemned if he eats," Romans 14:23 notes, "because {his eating is} not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin."
	Sound doctrine comes from the Bible, along with convictions based on knowledge gained from the Bible.
	Not only must sound doctrine have the right source, but it must also have the right practice.  This practice is apparent in our personal lives.
	"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ," Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, "that you keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us."
	Sound doctrine involves the right practice in our personal lives.  It also requires the right practice in our religious lives.
	"So then, brethren," Paul stresses in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, "stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word {of mouth} or by letter from us."
	"I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long;" Paul says in 1 Timothy 3:14-15, "but in case I am delayed, {I write} so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth."
	Sound doctrine requires the right practice in our personal and spiritual lives.  It also requires the right practice in our worship.
	"Now even the first {covenant} had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary," Hebrews 9:1 reminds us.  The assumption of this verse is that the second covenant, the one we are under now, has regulations of divine worship.
	"What!" Paul exclaims in 1 Corinthians 11:22 as he points to abuses of the worship.  "Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink?  Or do you despise the church of God, and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you."
	We can despise the church by worshiping incorrectly.  Sound doctrine requires that we have the right practice in the worship.  It also demands that we have the right practice in our associations.
	"Do not be bound together with unbelievers;" Paul charges in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, "for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, 'I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.'  'Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,' says the Lord. 'And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.  And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,' says the Lord Almighty."
	We should be careful to know, practice and teach sound doctrine.  Sound doctrine comes from the right source, the Bible.  Sound doctrine involves the right practice in our personal lives, in our spiritual lives, in our worship and in our associations.

	We should be careful to know, practice and teach sound doctrine.  Sound doctrine comes from the right source, the Bible.  Sound doctrine involves the right practice in our personal lives, in our spiritual lives, in our worship and in our associations.
	In addition, sound doctrine requires the right attitude.  This attitude involves being devoted to one another.
	"And do not be conformed to this world," Romans 12:2,3 exhorts, "but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith."
	"Let love be without hypocrisy," verses 9-16 add. "Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation."
	Sound doctrine requires the right attitude.  We must be devoted to one another.  In addition, we must not be quarrelsome.
	"And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome," 2 Timothy 2:24,25 affirms, "but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth."
	Sound doctrine requires the right attitude.  We must be devoted to one another.  We must not be quarrelsome.  And we must walk by the Spirit.
	"But if you bite and devour one another," we learn from Galatians 5:15-26, "take care lest you be consumed by one another.  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another."
	Sound doctrine requires that we have the right attitude.  We must be devoted to one another, not be quarrelsome and walk by the Spirit.
	Finally, sound doctrine will bring about the right result.
	"Let no one deceive you with empty words," Paul admonishes in Ephesians 5:6-21, "for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light {consists} in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.  But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.  For this reason it says, 'Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.' Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."
	We should be careful to know, practice and teach sound doctrine.  Sound doctrine comes from the right source, the Bible.  Sound doctrine involves the right practice in our personal lives, in our spiritual lives, in our worship and in our associations.  Sound doctrine requires that we have the right attitude.  We must be devoted to one another, not be quarrelsome and walk by the Spirit.  Sound doctrine has the right result."
	Let's make every effort to know, practice and teach sound doctrine.  Let's follow the truth and be set free.

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."