* Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, says Paul.

Comments by Joan Boney:

The apostle Paul said this to Timothy:

I Timothy 4

1  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

(We see both of these doctrines of devils in the Catholic church.  Protestant churches also set up doctrines of devils.  We must keep reading the New Testament Bible to see the doctrines of Christ.  If we know the Bible, we will recognize the evil doctrines in the churches when we hear them.)

6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

7 But refuse profane (secular sayings) and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.  8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

13  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

***

It is very important for each of us to read and re-read the New Testament Bible doctrines.  For many evil doctrines have come into the churches today.

I use that which Paul said in I Timothy 4:13 as a "guide" for myself:  "give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine"

I keep reading through the entire New Testament Bible, whereby I can check myself, also considering the teaching God has given me by the Holy Spirit concerning these scriptures.

I know repetition is very important for us.  We must hear doctrine and rehear doctrine continually.  There is so much spoken today on TV and by humans that is contrary to the doctrines of the Bible.

We do not have to read the false doctrines to know truth.  We know truth by reading the Bible and when we read the Bible we recognize the false doctrines when we hear them spoken.

Another thing I try to do is this:  When I hear a contrary doctrine spoken, I like to return to the Bible and reset myself in the true doctrine of Christ on that subject as presented in Bible.  I feel this helps to uproot the false doctrine which I have heard men speak.  And reinforces the Bible doctrine inside of me.  For false doctrines can creep into our thinking unless we deal with them in spiritual ways through prayer and through Bible reading.

Paul said:

II Timothy 3 

1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of WHOM thou hast learned them; (God teaches us by HIS Spirit)

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

*****