Contending for Truth: Why Sound Doctrine Matters More Than Ever

Hey friends,

We live in an age of theological confusion. From social media influencers promoting feel-good spirituality to entire movements redefining core Christian doctrines, the need for believers to stand firm in biblical truth has never been greater. The Apostle Paul warned Timothy that "the time will come when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions" (2 Timothy 4:3). That time is now.

But how do we contend for truth in a way that is both firm and gracious? How do we recognize false teaching without falling into unnecessary division? Today, let’s look at why sound doctrine matters, how to recognize error, and how to defend the faith with both courage and humility.

Why Doctrine Matters

Some say that theology is secondary to love, that unity matters more than doctrine. But true biblical love rejoices in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6). Jesus Himself declared, "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). If we do not know the God of the Bible as He has revealed Himself, then we are not truly worshiping Him.

Sound doctrine is not an intellectual exercise—it is life and death. The gospel itself is a doctrinal truth: that Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, lived a perfect life, died for sinners, and rose again for our justification. Distort that truth, and you no longer have the gospel. This is why Paul anathematized anyone who preached "another gospel" (Galatians 1:8-9). Doctrine matters because the gospel matters.

Recognizing False Teaching

False teaching is rarely obvious. It often comes wrapped in Christian language, with just enough truth to seem credible. Here are a few key signs:

1. A Distorted View of God – Any teaching that denies the Trinity, undermines Christ’s deity, or redefines the nature of God is a serious error. Oneness Pentecostalism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and other groups fall into this category.

2. A Different Gospel – Adding works to salvation, denying justification by faith alone, or emphasizing self-help over sin and redemption are signs of a false gospel. Paul warned against this in Galatians.

3. Twisting Scripture – Many heresies arise from isolating verses, taking them out of context, or reading personal revelations into the text. Prosperity theology often does this, promising health and wealth without regard for biblical suffering and sanctification.

4. Man-Centered Theology – If a message is more about human potential than God’s glory, it is suspect. True Christianity exalts Christ, not self.

How to Contend for Truth

So how do we respond? Here are some key principles:

1. Know the Word – The best way to recognize counterfeit doctrine is to know the real thing. Immerse yourself in Scripture. Be like the Bereans, who examined the Scriptures daily to see if what they were taught was true (Acts 17:11).

2. Be Discerning – Not every disagreement is a heresy. There is a difference between essential doctrines (like the Trinity and salvation by grace) and secondary issues (like eschatology or church governance). Know what is worth dividing over and what is not.

3. Speak the Truth in Love – It is easy to become harsh when exposing error. But Scripture calls us to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). Our goal is not to win arguments but to win souls.

4. Stand Firm – The pressure to compromise is strong. Many churches and ministries have softened biblical truths to appeal to the culture. But we are called to "earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). Holding fast to biblical doctrine is not arrogance; it is faithfulness.

5. Pray for Those in Error – Many who are caught in false teaching are sincere but deceived. Rather than attacking them, pray for their eyes to be opened and engage them with patience and grace.

Conclusion

We are not called to be passive in the face of falsehood. The enemy is relentless in spreading lies, and we must be just as relentless in proclaiming the truth. Contending for the faith is not about intellectual superiority or theological debate—it is about upholding the gospel, defending the glory of God, and leading others to know the true Christ.

Stand firm, dear friends. The truth is worth fighting for.

Soli Deo Gloria!