Studying the Word: a Sure Antidote to Doctrinal Error

It is important for us as spiritual leaders to place great importance on the systematic education of our congregants. At the same time, it is important for every believer to take an interest in studying the Word of God and to invest time in learning about the great themes, figures, and principles of Scripture. A church cannot live on passionate sermons, enthusiastic praise, or supposed supernatural experiences alone. It requires the solid food of the Word, provided day by day, in order to become a stable and blessed community. As the apostle Peter points out, knowledge must be added to virtue. Otherwise, what we have is a failed and fragile spirituality, open to deception and exposed to every wind of doctrine blowing through the cultural sphere.

The rapid growth of the Church in Latin America and other parts of the Third World will sooner or later have to submit to the discipline of greater theological and biblical rigor. There is too much froth in the teaching that a large part of God’s people currently receives, too much human doctrine that has very little to do with the sound instruction of the Word of God. This gives rise to an emotional and falsely anointed church, frequently intoxicated by the self-deception of disorderly and hysterical worship services that create the false impression of a genuine visitation of the Holy Spirit, or of effective progress against the hosts of darkness, but which in reality have little effect on either the spiritual or the material world.

It must be made clear: This is not about suppressing or controlling the genuine move of the Spirit. Religious formalism and modernist theology are just as dangerous and sterilizing as the superficial emotionalism we currently see in so many sectors of the evangelical world. Without a doubt, the power of God through the Holy Spirit is required to equip the Church for its evangelistic task in the world. This is not about extinguishing the flame of the Spirit and trying to replace it with an empty religiosity devoid of life and power. We are speaking of a biblical balance that maintains a healthy tension between intellect and emotions, doctrine and anointing, order and spontaneity.

Much of what passes for Christian preaching and teaching today does not actually measure up to what the Word of God prescribes. Ultimately, it is nothing more than the serpent’s subtle whisper, flattering people’s ears and plunging them more deeply into their own sensuality, materialism, and spiritual immaturity. Genuine pastoral teaching will always combine love with truth, affirmation with confrontation, and tolerance with discipline. The apostle Paul refers to this subtle balance when he charges the young pastor Timothy to instruct the people soberly and responsibly:

1 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and in His kingdom,

2 to preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; convict, rebuke, exhort with all patience and doctrine.

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, they will heap up teachers for themselves according to their own lusts,

4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to fables.

We must cultivate in God’s people a taste for doctrine and biblical teaching. Only in this way will we prepare them to resist the false doctrines that abound in our time. We live in dangerous times, when doctrines of demons proliferate—subtle doctrines that make it difficult to determine whether or not they are from God. The only sure antidote to doctrinal seduction and deception is a thorough knowledge of the Word of God. In this regard, the Jews of Berea mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 are a good example for all of us. Instead of impulsively accepting or rejecting the new teaching about the Messiah that Paul and Silas brought, they searched “the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.” They had open and teachable hearts, but they wanted to make sure that this new doctrine was aligned with the principles of Scripture.

The systematic and disciplined study of the Bible leads to a healthy and sober spirituality. Over time, it becomes a solid foundation for life and service to the Lord. It is the source of wisdom and prudence. That is why we must treasure the Word and learn to love the systematic knowledge of Scripture. To passion and anointing, we must add the sound foundation of theological and doctrinal reflection. We must adopt the reverent and enthusiastic attitude toward the Word of God reflected by the psalmist:

14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies more than in all riches.

15 I will meditate on Your commandments; I will consider Your ways.

16 I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your words.