n Hebrews 13:9 we are instructed not to be “carried about with divers and strange doctrines.” Doctrine is defined as teachings, instruction, principles or precepts. Titus 2:1 states, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:” Strange Doctrine is contrary to Sound Doctrine. Chafer wrote, “It is a short step indeed from the ignorance of doctrine, to rejection and ridicule of it.” Psychology is the study of mind and behavior. Sociology is the study of the development, structure, interaction, behavior, of social relationships and society. Philosophy is a love of wisdom, the most basic beliefs, concepts or attitudes of an individual or group. Theology is the study of God and God’s relation to the world. Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” I Corinthians 3:19, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” Beware of “doctrines of men” Colossians 2:22. Beware of “doctrines of devils” I Timothy 4:1. I am giving and will continue to give you many Bible references today because this is where true doctrine is found. It is important that we know and understand where to find the truth about God, about eternity, about salvation. This will keep us from being deceived by false doctrine and help us to guide those that are ignorant of true doctrine.
Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive:” Titus 1:9, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” A gainsayer is one who contradicts or denies…an opposer. False doctrine will spoil you – Colossians 2:8. False doctrine will seduce you – I Timothy 4:1. False doctrine will separate you – I John 1:9.
In Isaiah 55:9 God says “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Mortimer Adler wrote, “The Trinity, the Incarnation and the Resurrection: your faith and my faith must include these three mysteries. They are difficult to understand. They are not unintelligible – God understands them. But for us there is an element of mystery. The greatest error anyone can make is to think they can fully understand these three mysteries. It makes a mockery of faith.” I Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
What are we to do when man’s doctrine disagrees with God’s doctrine? Romans 3:4, “…yea, let God be true, but every man a liar,…” There are vast differences between creation and evolution, the One True God and a higher power, eternity with or without God after death or reincarnation, forgiveness by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior or good works outweighing bad works. Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The scriptures warn us in II John 1:10, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:” Verse 7 states, “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” Let God be true!