"Strange Doctrines"

   "...remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith." (I Timothy 1:3, 4)

    The apostle Paul thought it necessary to tell the young evangelist Timothy the importance of teaching against strange doctrines.  A doctrine is simply a teaching, so a "strange doctrine" would be something different than the teaching of Christ.  Myths and endless genealogies are put in the same category as these strange doctrines.  The only purpose strange doctrines had was to get the focus of the people off of the work of God and on to speculation.

What needed to be taught?  "But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (vs. 5).  They were to teach with love and have a good heart, motive, and mind.  There were some who turned aside from this and the result was fruitless discussion (vs. 6).

    This was obviously a common problem in the first century.  Paul instructed the Colossians in a similar fashion to "see to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (2:8).  Philosophy and empty deception both are based on the traditions of men.  The focus needed to be taken off of this and concentrated on the teachings of Christ.

   Today we have much the same problems that were around then.  Many people don't want to listen to the teachings of Christ. It is much more interesting and fun to talk about things we don't have any idea about.  You hear people talking about where God came from and was Satan a fallen angel. Most would rather spend their time in discussing "mere speculation" than to concentrate their effort on finding and obeying the commands of the Lord.  What profit would it be if you knew all the answers to the world's questions?  Maybe it would ease your mind of different philosophies and speculations.  One thing is for sure, however,  it would not change the gospel message!

    Everything we need to make it to heaven has been provided for us.  We have the Bible, our instruction manual, to guide us in how to live our lives.  It makes us complete (II Timothy 3:16-17).  It is the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25).  It was "once for all delivered" (Jude 3).  We don't have to worry about the truth changing.  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever.  Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings" (Heb. 13:8, 9).  It is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32).  Why worry about answers to questions that we couldn't possibly know the solutions to?

    Let us forget about listening to "strange doctrines", which are based upon myths, genealogies, philosophies, and deception.  We must put aside all that might cause us to take our focus off of God.  Those who wish to be right in God's sight will concentrate their efforts on obedience to His Word, for this is what He commands. (John 12:48; 14:15; Romans 6:17; II Timothy 1:13).

                                                                --Shane Williams