Sullivan church of Christ -- Sullivan, MO
Date: August 15, 2004
THE IMPORTANCE OF SOUND DOCTRINE # 1
Ben Justice
We have all heard the expression, “You are what you eat.” This is certainly true, physically speaking. We all
understand the importance of being physically healthy. Being healthy, having the body replete with vitamins
and minerals, go a long way in protecting the body against illness and sickness. If we put the wrong foods
into our bodies, then we will become physically malnourished. On the other hand, if we put good,
wholesome, and healthy foods into our bodies, then we will become physically strong and completely
nourished. My friend, the same is true spiritually speaking as well. “You are what you eat” — spiritually
speaking. If we put the wrong spiritual food into our minds, then we will become spiritually famished.
However, if we put the right and good kind of spiritual food into our minds, then we will become spiritually
strong.
The Bible places a premium upon being strong spiritually. In Rom. 4:20, it says concerning Abraham that he
was “strong in faith.” As a result of his spiritual strength, “he staggered not at the promise of God through
unbelief.” Being strong spiritually speaking prevents unbelief. The opposite is true as well: Being weak
spiritually encourages and promotes unbelief. Paul wrote in I Cor. 16:13, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith,
quit ye like men, be strong.” The expression, “quit ye like men” means to conduct oneself in a manly or
courageous way. Eph. 6:10 declares, “Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might.” Paul told Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1). If we are going to
be strong spiritually, then we must feast ourselves upon the right kind of spiritual food. We must not settle
for less, for we do not want to fall prey to unbelief. With these things in mind, we want to discuss the
importance of sound doctrine and its relationship to spiritual strength and fortitude.
WHAT IS SOUND DOCTRINE?
The word “sound” simply means, “whole” or “healthy.” Some times the word “whole” is used to denote
physical wholeness (cf. Mark 5:34). However, when we talk about being sound spiritually, we are referring to
being whole or healthy.
The term “doctrine” simply means, “teaching.” It refers to either that which is (1) taught or (2) the act of
teaching or instructing. So, we have whole or healthy teaching.
“Sound doctrine” is parallel with “the truth,” “the gospel,” “the faith,” and “the doctrine of Christ.” Jesus, in
his prayer to his Father, said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). God’s word
is the truth and vice versa.
2 Tim. 4:2-4 states, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all
long-suffering and doctrine. (3) For 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; (4) And they shall turn away
their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” In these verses, Paul used many different
expressions to refer to the same thing. “The word” (v. 2) is parallel to “sound doctrine” (v. 3) and “the truth”
(v. 4). Paul used these expressions interchangeably. This is done throughout the NT.
One should study carefully Acts 13:1-32. Note the following from these verses:
“The word of God” (v. 5, 7) is synonymous with “the faith” (v. 8). These are equivalent to “the right ways of
the Lord” (v. 10) and “the doctrine of the Lord” (v. 12). “The word of this salvation” is mentioned in v. 26 and
“glad tidings” is spoken of in v. 32. All of these are equivalent to “sound doctrine.” These things will make a
person spiritually healthy. The Bible makes no distinction between gospel and doctrine, as many of our
liberal brethren do today. Many other examples could be given that clearly show gospel and doctrine are
equivalent. And, these are equivalent to “sound doctrine.”
THERE IS THE SUCH THING AS UNSOUND DOCTRINE
It would be useless and unneeded to speak of sound doctrine if unsound doctrine does not exist. Very
simply, anything that is not the truth is unsound and will cause a person to be spiritually sick and
malnourished. It may not in the eyes of men, but it will in the eyes of God. Unsound teaching will cause a
person to lose their soul.
Jesus declared in Matt. 15:9,, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of
men.” Col. 2:22 speaks of the “commandments and doctrines of men.” I Tim. 4:1 says, “Now the Spirit
speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits,
and doctrines of devils.” Heb. 13:9 warns us to not be “carried away with divers and strange doctrines.”
“Strange doctrines” is certainly not sound teaching. It is unsound teaching. In Rev. 2:14, Jesus referred to
the “doctrine of Balaam.” In Rev. 2:15, Jesus referred to the “doctrine of the Nicolaitans” which he said he
hated. In Rev. 2:20, 24, Jesus referred to the “doctrine of Jezebel.” In 2 Pet. 3:16-17, Peter clearly taught
the existence of error. He declared, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which
are some things are to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the
other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before,
beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” We must
ever be on guard against unsound and unhealthy teaching. The consequences of accepting such are eternally
tragic (cf. Matt. 7:13-27).
Lord willing, next week we will continue by noting several reasons why sound doctrine is important.
RIGHT PATH OF LIFE
Let not the right path be forsaken
As you live from day to day.
Let all evil be put behind you
And follow Christ who is the way.
His teachings are the Bible
By obeying, you will reach your goal.
Only trust His Word completely
The only way to save your soul.
—Selected