𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗥 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡? 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦

 

𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗥 𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡? 𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗜𝗕𝗟𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God… rightly dividing the word of truth.”— 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

 

INTRODUCTION

Not everyone who opens a Bible is seeking truth.Some read to be corrected — others read to be confirmed. In this Dispensation of Grace, God commands believers to:

Study, not skim

Divide, not blend

Submit, not manipulate
This message exposes two mindsets:

Those who let Scripture speak

Those who force Scripture to support

The difference determines doctrine, direction, and destiny.

 

① DESIRE FOR TRUTH

John 17:17 Truth-seekers approach Scripture with humility.

A. Acknowledging God’s Authority Isaiah 66:2– God speaks, man listens– The Bible corrects us– Pride bows before revelation

B. Accepting God’s Word as Written Matthew 4:4– Every word matters– No additions or deletions– Literal when possible

C. Allowing Scripture to Change Beliefs Romans 12:2– Mind renewed– Traditions challenged– Growth embraced

 

 

② DECEPTION BY VALIDATION

2 Peter 3:16Validation-seekers read with an agenda.

A. Twisting Clear Passages Proverbs 30:6– Scripture bent– Context ignored– Meaning distorted

B. Treating Feelings as Final Authority Jeremiah 17:9– Emotion over truth– Experience over exegesis– Self exalted

C. Trusting Tradition Over Text Mark 7:13– Religion preserved– Scripture silenced– Error repeated

 

 

③ DISCERNING THE DISPENSATIONS

Ephesians 3:2God works differently in different ages.

A. Recognizing God’s Progressive Revelation Hebrews 1:1–2– Not all truth revealed at once– Paul reveals the mystery– Grace clarified

B. Respecting Israel and the Church Distinction Romans 11:25– Israel = earthly promises– Church = heavenly calling– No replacement theology

C. Rightly Dividing Commands 2 Timothy 2:15– Law vs Grace– Kingdom vs Body– Prophecy vs Mystery

 

 

④ DEPENDENCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT

1 Corinthians 2:13–14Truth is spiritually discerned.

A. Spiritual Things Require Spiritual Understanding John 16:13– Spirit guides– Flesh blinds– Truth illuminated

B. Prayerful Study Produces Clarity Psalm 119:18– Open eyes– Open heart– Open understanding

C. Carnal Reading Produces Confusion 1 Corinthians 3:3– Strife follows– Error spreads– Growth stalls

 

 

⑤ DANGERS OF DOCTRINAL MIXING

Galatians 1:6–7Mixing dispensations corrupts the gospel.

A. Law Added to Grace Galatians 2:16– Works creep in– Assurance lost– Freedom stolen

B. Kingdom Promises Applied to the Church Matthew 24:13 vs Ephesians 2:8–9– Context ignored– Fear replaces faith– Error taught

C. Confusion Replaces Confidence 1 Corinthians 14:33– God not author of confusion– Truth brings peace– Error breeds chaos

 

 

⑥ DEVOTION TO SOUND DOCTRINE

1 Timothy 4:16Truth matters more than popularity.

A. Doctrine Preserves the Gospel 1 Corinthians 15:1–4– Death– Burial– Resurrection

B. Doctrine Protects Believers Titus 1:9– Error exposed– Sheep guarded– Faith strengthened

C. Doctrine Prepares for Judgment Seat of Christ 2 Corinthians 5:10– Teaching evaluated– Motives revealed– Rewards given

 

 

⑦ DISCIPLINE IN STUDY

Acts 17:11Truth requires effort.

A. Daily Examination of Scripture Joshua 1:8– Consistency– Commitment– Growth

B. Comparing Scripture with Scripture Isaiah 28:10– Context honored– Error avoided– Truth confirmed

C. Testing Every Teaching 1 Thessalonians 5:21– Not every preacher is right– Bible is final authority– Truth verified

 

 

⑧ DEDICATION TO PAULINE DOCTRINE

Romans 16:25Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles.

A. Paul Reveals the Mystery Ephesians 3:3–9– Church not in prophecy– Grace fully revealed– Body of Christ explained

B. Paul Defines Church Truth Romans–Philemon– Our doctrine– Our walk– Our destiny

C. Paul’s Gospel Saves Today 1 Corinthians 15:1–4– Faith alone– Grace alone– Christ alone

 

 

⑨ DECISION FOR TRUTH

John 8:31–32Every believer must choose.

A. Submit to Scripture James 1:21– Receive with meekness– Let truth rule– Yield fully

B. Separate from Error Romans 16:17– Mark false teaching– Avoid confusion– Stand firm

C. Stand for Truth Boldly 2 Timothy 4:2– Preach it– Defend it– Live it

 

 

CONCLUSION

You will either:Let the Bible shape youOr use the Bible to support you
Only one leads to: Sound doctrine Spiritual growth Christ-honoring truth

CALL TO ACTION

Choose TRUTH over TRADITION Choose STUDY over SENTIMENT Choose RIGHT DIVISION over RELIGION Commit today to rightly dividing the Word of Truth!

FINAL THOUGHTS
Truth humbles Validation hardens Right division clarifies Doctrine matters Context protects Grace saves Error enslaves Christ is exalted Truth sets you free