Where Do Your Doctrines (Teachings) About God Come From, Man Or God?

Where do your doctrines (teachings) about God come from, man or God?

2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine..

A patchwork of doctrines: Almost everyone it seems, regardless of whether they are saved or unsaved, has concocted for themselves a patchwork of doctrines, that is, a mishmash of teachings, on matters pertaining to God. Often this patchwork consists of a little bit of teaching from one place, something heard in another place, the opinions of a minister or two, selected writings from a couple of books, a smattering of memorized Bible verses and the reasonings and presumptions of the intellect to try and loosely tie it all together. If the teachings are not scripture that has been given to the person by the inspiration of God and received and understood in the heart, then they are almost certainly going to be false.

With most Christians very little of this patchwork of doctrines is based on that person having an unshakeable conviction about the teachings because they are founded on truths that have been personally revealed to them by God’s Spirit from the scriptures. Instead of the teachings being from God, many Christians have succumbed to the “doctrines of men” Col. 2:22. What can God now do to dislodge a person from a mishmash of false teachings and assumptions? In many instances a Christian has gone over the thoughts related to these teachings many times to try and explain or justify their own bad behavior and certain adverse events. These thoughts therefore have made deep ruts in their minds, but they never satisfy their conscience. Also, if the Christian has shared with others bits and pieces of their patchwork of doctrines, even if they are now presented with the correct teachings of God, they may stubbornly resist them and defend their false teachings, because of pride.

What can God do now to induce a person to re-examine their beliefs about Him? But this time with a heart diligence that won’t be denied until the truth has been revealed to them by God, and is known in their heart beyond a shadow of a doubt. What can God do to so shake a person up out of their complacency that they are willing finally to question the half-truths, misunderstandings, lies and assumptions that their beliefs are based on? Beliefs that have been harmful to them and to any others they may have passed them on to.

If we are such a Christian our heavenly Father will try, whenever we become tender of heart and therefore receptive, to rock our spiritual boat with bold anointed statements of truth from the Bible. Sadly, because of the prideful nature of our flesh, we may never become tender of heart and willing to hear truth until adversity has struck us and struck us hard in some area of our lives. Now this adversity will not have come to us by God’s hand, even though our mishmash of doctrines will suggest that it has. No, God says:

Isa 54:15 If anyone attacks you, don't for a moment suppose that I sent them, MSGE

Isa 14:9 The denizens of hell rise to meet you as you enter their domain (due to sin) TLB

While the adversity was not from God, but from our enemy Satan, if our hearts are now at last tender and open to Him, God will bring someone to teach us the doctrines of heaven.

Titus 2:1 But you must teach what agrees with sound doctrine. TEV

Here are just some of the foundational teachings of God’s New Covenant with humanity:

God’s provision for our initial salvation through Christ: Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way, and the Lord laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquities of us all… Isa 59:2 …Your iniquities have separated you (in spirit) from your God… Col 2:13 And you, being dead (in spirit) in your trespasses…He has made alive (in spirit)...having forgiven you all trespasses, John 3:7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born (in spirit) again.' Mark 16:16 He who believes (these words) will be saved (from everlasting separation from God, because of his sins);

Our need to always receive and always give forgiveness: 1 John 1:9 If we confess our

sins He is faithful and just (because Jesus bore them) to forgive us our sins and to cleanse

us from all unrighteousness. Matt 6:15 But if you do not forgive others their sins (letting

them go and giving up all resentment - AMP) neither will your Father forgive you your sins.

Guided initially by God’s peace and delivered from worry: Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts… 1 Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.