What The Bible Does For Us

choose what kind of job or career to pursue. We can choose how we will treat other

people. These choices and decisions can overwhelm us and confuse us.

Jeremiah confessed “23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it

is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jer, 10:23). Solomon admitted “2There is a

way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Prov.

14:12).

The psalmist wrote “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light

unto my path” (Psa. 199:105).

The Bible is profitable for us because it enables us to recognize the right paths

and make the best choices.

3. THE BIBLE IS PROFITABLE FOR DETECTING FALSE TEACHING

False teaching was a reality then and is a reality now.

Paul warned Timothy about the false teachers which troubled the churches (verses

1-8). Paul warned Timothy that false teachers would continue to spread their false

teachings. “13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and

being deceived” (verse 13); “3For the time will come when they will not endure sound

doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching

ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables”

(2 Tim. 4:3-4).

False teaching is dangerous.

Jesus said that because of their hypocritical living and false teaching, most of the

Pharisees would not enter heaven, and that they hindered others from entering heaven

(Matt. 23:13).

The Bible says we are not to teach or practice false teaching, and neither are we to

assist or encourage false teachers. “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth

not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he

hath both the Father and the Son. 10If there come any unto you, and bring not this

doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed” ( 2 John 1:9-10).

The Bible is profitable for us because it enables us to recognize false teaching and

false teachers.

4. THE BIBLE IS PROFITABLE FOR LEARNING TRUE TEACHING

“16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine . . .”

(verse 16).

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul instructed the young pastor, “Till I come,

give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13). Many people say

that truth is relative, that one religion is as good as another, that it doesn’t matter what

you believe as long as you are sincere. But it is very important to know and recognize

the truth. What you believe determines how you live. You can’t live right if you don’t

believe right. You can’t believe right if you don’t know right. You can’t know right if

you aren’t taught right.

The Bible is profitable for us because it is our source of true doctrine.

5. THE BIBLE IS PROFITABLE FOR REPROOF

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable . . . for reproof” (v.

16).

Reproof tells me what is not right in my life. God reproves me when He tells me

what I am doing wrong. Man’s standards of right and wrong are constantly changing, but