“I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.”

With school starting soon, this seems like a fitting thought to ponder this morning. I live in a university town, and students are beginning to trickle back for a new semester. This verse speaks of sound teaching. I can’t help but ponder all the teaching that is neither sound nor useful—not just in schools, but often in churches as well. Determining what sound teaching is can be a challenge for young believers, but it most certainly shouldn’t be for those who have been walking with the Lord for a number of years. Yet, at times, it still is. In the original language, Solomon’s meaning was that sound teaching is moral, life-preserving, and beneficial. Using that grid, I think we can eliminate a certain amount of what is taught these days. It’s also a grid we can use to evaluate any Bible teaching, whether it’s from a church, a podcast, or a book. I have a grandchild who would come home from school and tell me what he learned in his Bible class. Often it was silly or goofy, which is something we should never do with the Bible. Too many times, however, it was theology that bordered on heresy. It was sad to see such a great opportunity wasted.
We must also always ask, “Does it line up with the fullness of Scripture?” Each morning, at the end of these short devotionals, I include a passage from somewhere else in Scripture besides Proverbs. The purpose is to reinforce that God addresses this truth beyond this one verse. Context is vitally important to understanding and learning. Today, be a wise learner. #BeTheEdge

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV