2 Timothy 3:14-15
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Paul talks to Timothy about the last days and the character the people living in that generation will have. Key among these is that they will be lovers of self, lovers of money, and lovers of pleasure. They will have a form of Godliness but deny its power. This is the generation that will heap up for themselves teachers who will preach what their itchy ears want to hear. Because of this, false doctrine will be prevalent.
This may not be the kind of false doctrine that is way out there, it will sound like the truth, but it will have no life and no power. As Paul says, it will have a form of godliness.
Because this generation will prefer to seek pleasure as opposed to seeking God, they will not be grounded in the word.
Paul urges Timothy and the same applies to us as well, to continue in the things which we have learned and been assured of. The keyword is to continue. Some started well but because they were not steadfast, because they did not continue, they were led astray.
We must hold on to what we have learned, we must continue diligently in the word of God knowing whom we learned it from. These Holy Scriptures will make us wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Paul reminds us in the next verse;
2 Timothy 3:16
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [c]instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
All scriptures are profitable, not just the portions we like and pour favorite verses. That is why we need to engage with the whole of scripture to learn doctrine which has to do with the path we should walk on, for reproof, which shows us where we have gone wrong, for correction which shows us how to get back on track and for instruction in righteousness showing us how to stay on the right path.
With this, we are fully equipped for every good work!
Reflections
When you think of false doctrine, what are some things that come to mind?
What are some of the challenges you face in continuing in the things that you have been taught?
What must 4you do to overcome those challenges?
