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September 8 Daily Devotional

Teaching Sound Doctrine

Peter G. Feenstra

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. Titus 2:1

Bible Reading

Titus 1:15–2:8

Devotional

What is the most effective way of refuting false teaching? We could organize a conference or a seminar explaining some of the main heresies and errors that have plagued the church. Yet the best way of confronting error is to be thoroughly saturated with the truth of Scripture. We can know all the false doctrines in the world but still be missing true knowledge. As Christians we are to have an all-encompassing knowledge of sound doctrine that stems from a heart set ablaze by the Holy Spirit. That is why Paul writes to Titus: “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.”

The word Paul uses for “sound” is the root of our word for hygiene. It is used five times in this letter to Titus. The apostle directs our attention to the need for spiritual health and hygiene. The foundation of healthy living is healthy doctrine. The church is on very shaky ground if its leaders are empty talkers—men who profess to know God but deny Him by their deeds! False doctrine is diseased and will result in unhealthy living that does not give glory to God. It is like a cancerous growth which, if it is not eradicated, will spread through the whole body and kill it. It is unhealthy for spiritual growth.

The Lord is concerned about the health of His body, the church. Through sound doctrine we come to know the Lord. The doctrines of the Old and New Testament show us the Father who created all things in perfect harmony by His Word of power. Sound doctrine points us to the unspeakable comfort we have in God. Our Father rules and governs all things by His hand so that nothing happens without His direction. The doctrines of Scripture guide us to Christ who, through the shedding of His blood, redeems us from all our iniquity. We learn to know the unfailing love and mercy of our God who removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. Sound doctrine teaches us to know that our election is not based on our faith but it is a gift of the Spirit working in us.

Every church member must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Familiarity with sound doctrine results in healthy living. You cannot simply teach or speak about sound doctrine as a comparative study with false doctrine and heresy. You need to speak it and live it!

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