What is sound doctrine? This is a good question for anyone who desires to follow Christ. If you are not familiar with the scriptures it may be hard to find a church that teaches sound doctrine. Paul continues his letter to Titus in chapter two with the instructions to teach sound doctrine. The term doctrine is used 21 times in the New Testament, 20 of those times are spoken by Paul and the other 2 are by Jesus himself. Paul uses the phrase “sound doctrine” 4 times. Once he uses it in I Timothy 1:10 to warn Timothy of those who are practicing sin and would be opposed to “sound doctrine.” In II Timothy 4:3, he warns of the time when those who are opposed to Christ will not listen to “sound doctrine,” and in Titus 1:9 he tells Titus to stay the course with the things he has been taught so that his “sound doctrine” will help him to exhort and convince those who contradict it. In chapter 2 of Titus, Paul again reminds Titus to teach the things that become “sound doctrine.” The word “sound” in Greek means well, as in good health, or as in uncorrupt. The word “doctrine” means instruction, teaching, function, or the information. In simple terms, it is any sort of teaching. In scripture, we have teaching on who God is and who we are in relation to Him. Sound biblical teaching is teaching from God, that is about Him, and directs us to glorify Him.
Titus 2:1 “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:”
If Paul needed to remind Titus and Timothy twice to stay the course with sound doctrine, then we too must take heed to teach and follow sound doctrine. It is easy to convince ourselves to slide in areas that are not comfortable. We justify our slackness with all sorts of worldly excuses. We bend the biblical teachings that are sound doctrine with our own idea of what God commands. When we tell ourselves something long enough, we begin to believe it. We pull scripture out of context and listen to those who agree with us, allowing us to suppress the guilt of disobedience. I’ve had parents tell me that God understands when they miss church for a ballgame. Others have used the family gatherings as an excuse to miss worship because God wants us to be with our families. May I remind us that God never excuses our desire to choose other things over the worship of Him. We justify our behavior knowing it is not what honors God and we act as if it is no big deal. Any sin is a big deal to God. All sin is serious enough that it cost Him the life of His Son. Sound doctrine is to be taught, but it is taught to be followed.
We must determine we will follow what God’s word says no matter how much it goes against our comfort zone. Living in his comfort zone is what got David in trouble. It was more comfortable to stay on the rooftop where he could feel the evening breeze and view Bathsheba taking her bath, than to go back into a hot house. On the opposite spectrum, Joseph landed in prison because he determined to do what was right instead of yielding to the comfort of pleasing Pharoah’s wife, but in the end, he was exalted and honored by God and man. They both had been taught the sound doctrine of God’s word, but one followed, and one did not. One was rewarded and one suffered. Where are you in your determination to follow the teaching of God’s word? Where are you in your quest for sound doctrine?
Paul wants Titus to teach others what he has taught him, and we are to follow these same words. Paul taught Titus much the same as he told Timothy in II Timothy 1:13-14, “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”
