In what ways can we ensure our knowledge aligns with biblical truth? Guard the Treasure Entrusted to You 1 Timothy 6:20-21 sets the tone: “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and thereby swerved away from the faith. Grace be with you all”. Key take-away: any “knowledge” that pulls us from Christ is counterfeit. • Recognize the warning flag: ideas that sound smart yet contradict clear Scripture. • Remember the deposit: the gospel, the whole counsel of God, is already complete—our task is protection, not revision. Build on the Unshakable Foundation of Scripture • 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed … so that the man of God may be complete.” • Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers, the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” Practical steps: – Begin every study with the text itself; let commentaries supplement, not replace. – Memorize key passages; stored verses become instant plumb lines for new information. Test Every Idea—Hold Fast to What Is Good • Acts 17:11: the Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these teachings were true.” • 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “Test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” How to test: – Ask, “Does this claim agree with the clear meaning of Scripture as a whole?” – Check context: paragraph, chapter, and entire biblical storyline. – Compare translations for nuance, but keep the original context primary. Walk in Humility and Teachability • Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” • James 1:21: “Humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.” Cultivating humility: – Admit limits; Scripture is perfect, we are not. – Invite correction from trusted believers when an interpretation drifts. – Pray for discernment before forming conclusions. Stay Connected to a Faithful Community • Hebrews 10:24-25 urges gathering for mutual encouragement. • Ephesians 4:11-14 shows pastors and teachers equip the saints so we’re “no longer infants, tossed by every wind of doctrine.” Community safeguards: – Regular, in-person Bible study with believers committed to sound doctrine. – Elders/pastors who model submission to Scripture. – Open dialogue: bring questions, wrestle together, always returning to the text. Keep Your Eyes on Christ, the True Knowledge • Colossians 2:2-3: “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” When Jesus remains the center, knowledge stays anchored; when He’s sidelined, even brilliant ideas can turn into shipwreck. Living this out means daily guarding the deposit, opening the Word, testing teachings, remaining humble, and walking with Christ-centered believers. In doing so, our knowledge lines up with biblical truth, and we avoid the tragic detour described in 1 Timothy 6:21. |
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