Sound doctrine is hard to come by these days. The largest churches and loudest voices are espousing a different gospel than the only true gospel found in the scriptures. A “new revelation” is the frequent and heretical term often used to excuse false teaching or make God’s Word more palatable for the masses. Remember, the masses will never accept Jesus.
It was the masses who rejected Him in His time on earth, and they continue to reject Him today. Jesus said, “How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). While Christ wills for all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9), the reality is that relatively few will accept His offer of salvation.
A lack of sound doctrine will keep many from entering through the narrow gate. Many believe they are on the right path because they are checking off all the boxes in their minds. They attend church (or more likely these days watch a streaming service so they can sleep in and stay in the comfort of their living rooms), listen to “Christian” music, and never forget to pray (at least as often as they need something). We live in a world where it seems most Christians will confess Jesus with their mouths but deny Him with their lives. They have an intellectual belief but lack a saving faith.
Without sound doctrine, Satan easily distracts would-be followers of Christ. We get lazy, comfortable, and ignorant. We forget we must be ever watchful for the attacks of the enemy (1 Peter 5:8). Filling our minds with unscriptural and questionable teachings, whether in word or song, is disastrous. Podcasts, sermons, and playlists are no substitute for spending time in and with the Word of God. If we spent as much time devouring His Word as we do listening to popular preachers, music, and “new” teaching, we would fortify our minds to be immune to bad doctrine.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8-9). He does not change, and neither does His Word. Nothing needs to be added to Scripture and nothing needs to be taken away. The pages of your Bible contain everything you need to know about God. Everything you need to know to walk as He did is within those pages. Modern culture has not rendered the Word of God irrelevant. Sinful morality and satanic ideals do not necessitate an update of the holy written Word. All we need is Jesus, and He is perfectly revealed through His timeless and complete gospel.
You need sound doctrine in your life. We can’t run this race without it. Don’t accept new interpretations of the Word we have held to since the apostles founded the early church. Do not buy into the redefining of terms by a morally corrupt culture. From the beginning, Satan has been trying to convince us that God’s Word is not what He said (Genesis 3:1). Paul warned against the dangers of false doctrine (2 Corinthians 11:3; Galatians 1:6-8) permeating the church even in his day. The tricks of Satan are not new, he just disguises them differently for each generation.
You can maintain a sound doctrine by immersing yourself in the Word of God and believing in the plain meaning of the words, taken in context, and as part of a consistent and inerrant narrative on the nature of our God. Find preachers solely interested in expositing the Words of Scripture and uninterested n pushing an agenda or increasing their influence. Guard your hearts and minds against false teaching. Cling to sound doctrine. And most of all, cling to Jesus Christ, the author and perfector of all life.