Sound Doctrine

by Ken Thomas

Sometimes we criticize preachers and teachers for being critical and seemingly harsh in their teaching and writing. Without doubt, some go overboard and do not portray the spirit of gentleness that should accompany the truth, but it is also easy to have a compromising spirit and call it love and kindness. Why do many seem to soft-pedal Biblical truth?
Even before the beginning of Christianity, people were refusing to hear the "law of the Lord." To the prophets they said, "Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things,prophesy deceits" ( Isaiah 30:10). The Lord lamented, "The prophets prophesy falsely and my people love to have it so" ( Jeremiah 5:31). There is a human tendency for us to close our ears when our "pet sins" are condemned. People seem to want painless, streamlined Christianity. Some preachers seem afraid of making someone mad or driving someone away (and no wonder, when the measure of a church's success is "how many come"?) Many seem to prefer to save their feelings rather than their souls.
Hear the inspired warning to a young preacher ( 2 Timothy 4:3-4): The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." The cure for such is given in v. 5, "But watch thou in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."
Not all of the responsibility for truth and sound doctrine lies upon the teacher. Every Christian needs to be "strong in the Lord and in the power of his might," ready to stand against the devil ( Ephesians 6:10-11). Prayers should be raised for preachers that they might "speak boldly as they ought to speak," (Eph. 6:18-20). Many preachers with power and influence seem to deliberately "miss the mark" because they are not aiming at false teaching and sinful living. False doctrine destroys souls, whether taught blindly or deliberately. We need to teach the truth in love. That is our aim here at Mt. Juliet, and hopefully this will continue to characterize us.

April 26, 1992

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Sound Doctrine by Ken Thomas Sometimes we criticize preachers and teachers for being critical and seemingly harsh in their teaching and writing. Without doubt, some go overboard and do not portray the spirit of gentleness that should accompany the truth, but it is also easy to have a compromising spirit and call it love and kindness. Why do many seem to soft-pedal Biblical truth? Even before the beginning of Christianity, people were refusing to hear the "law of the Lord." To the prophets they said, "Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things,prophesy deceits" ( Isaiah 30:10). The Lord lamented, "The prophets prophesy falsely and my people love to have it so" ( Jeremiah 5:31). There is a human tendency for us to close our ears when our "pet sins" are condemned. People seem to want painless, streamlined Christianity. Some preachers seem afraid of making someone mad or driving someone away (and no wonder, when the measure of a church's success is "how many come"?) Many seem to prefer to save their feelings rather than their souls. Hear the inspired warning to a young preacher ( 2 Timothy 4:3-4): The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." The cure for such is given in v. 5, "But watch thou in all things, endure affliction, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." Not all of the responsibility for truth and sound doctrine lies upon the teacher. Every Christian needs to be "strong in the Lord and in the power of his might," ready to stand against the devil ( Ephesians 6:10-11). Prayers should be raised for preachers that they might "speak boldly as they ought to speak," (Eph. 6:18-20). Many preachers with power and influence seem to deliberately "miss the mark" because they are not aiming at false teaching and sinful living. False doctrine destroys souls, whether taught blindly or deliberately. We need to teach the truth in love. That is our aim here at Mt. Juliet, and hopefully this will continue to characterize us. April 26, 1992 Related Articles: Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM