Many people attend church and listen to spiritual content repeatedly. Yet in 2 Timothy 4, Paul warned that people will eventually be less enthralled with truth and more enthralled with their own desires, and consequently, attend church services that meet these desires.
Are your drifting from the truth? How do you make sure that isn’t you, or doesn’t become you?
- Embrace sound doctrine instead of settling for watered-down talks
“They will not endure sound doctrine” (v.3)
Sound doctrine communicates the whole counsel of God’s Word whether it’s popular or not. It is willing to clearly declare what God says knowing that some people will love it, and some people will hate it. - Pursue teaching that challenges you instead of teaching that only tickles you
“Wanting to have their ears tickled” (v.3)
Some want to show up to church for their weekly pep talk so they can leave feeling good about themselves, instead of hearing a message from the Lord that can sometimes be challenging. - Stay committed to faithful teachers instead of treating teaching like a buffet
“They will accumulate for themselves teachers” (v.3)
Many treat church like a restaurant – hopping around like a taste-testing consumer. - Resist the pull toward teaching that simply reinforces your own desires or biases
“In accordance with their own desires” (v.3)
“As long as he tells me what I want to hear in line with that I believe, I’ll stay.” - Be willing to hear and receive truth instead of turning away when it feels uncomfortable
“They will turn away their ears from the truth” (v.4)
You won’t grow if you’re not being challenged – the purpose of God’s Word is to expose areas of your life that need correction and to help you stay on the right path. - Recognize that fringe beliefs and myths are warning signs, not solid ground
“And will turn aside to myths” (v.4)
Most Christians have nuanced views on secondary or tertiary doctrines, but when you hold strong, non-mainstream beliefs on core doctrines, you’re in dangerous territory. And if you’re prone to myths and conspiracy theories, you’re likely also on shaky ground regarding false doctrine. Amazingly, many churches espouse and promote myths to their congregants, instead of sticking to the pure milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:1-3).
Conclusion
Drifting doesn’t happen all at once—it happens little by little when we stop listening to truth. The best safeguard is staying anchored daily in God’s Word. That’s why I use the Word of Life Quiet Time Diary—it keeps me in the totality of Scripture every day. You can grab one here (https://wolstore.org/collections/quiet-times-1) and stay grounded in truth.
