Where in the World Do You Get Your Doctrine?

Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16 (NLT)

Today, there is no shortage of books, arguments and debates on Christian doctrine.

Watching TV or YouTube, I see people pedalling tons of questionable ideas and false doctrine to viewers. As believers, we can’t believe something blindly just because they mention Jesus’ name.

We need to be rooted deeply in God’s Word to stay savvy against false doctrines. Otherwise, the less grounded we are in the concrete truths of God’s Word, the more our beliefs can fluctuate whenever we encounter people who don’t understand or know God. How can we be the light of this world and share God’s truths with misguided believers (and nonbelievers) if God’s Word isn’t our source?

That’s why I learned to draw boundaries around where I get my doctrine. For example, I don’t adopt beliefs from my friends who aren’t believers or popular social media personalities. Just because they share logical-sounding ideas about God or spiritual matters doesn’t mean I take it as truth. My doctrine comes from what God’s Word says.

Now, does this mean that all nonbelievers are bad people? Of course not. We all have some relatives and friends that know Christ and some that don’t. I treat everyone the same without judgment. However, we must know God’s Word and be people of truth.

That’s why it is crucial to base our beliefs on correct doctrine and to share God’s truths. But don’t do it in a way that’s arrogant or condescending. Do it in love. You and I are in the world to influence and affect nonbelievers’ lives—not the other way around!