2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (NKJV).

What do you believe? Because it matters a great deal! The principles we believe mould and fashion our behaviour. This is clear to see in the crime statistics we’re presented with every day. It’s also evident in bringing up children. As parents we do our best to instill in our children things like good behaviour, a sense of self-confidence, self-worth, and an ability to discern right from wrong. Where do these things come from? They come from the values, the deep moral core based on a set of principles, or, what we could call doctrine.

I’ve said for many years, “Doctrine received, believed, and practiced, determines a person’s behaviour, character, and destiny”. We’ve seen this to be true time and again. The things people believe about themselves, their family, and others are the things that determine behaviour and even lifestyle. If people receive enough of something, a value or thought or principle (Principle – general truth or doctrine used as the basis of reasoning or a guide to action; general or scientific law shown or used in the working of a machine etc. Oxford Dictionary), and they receive it enough to believe it, then that belief will eventually result in physical actions. People do most things in life because they “believe” something. When those actions are done often enough they become a habit, which then forms who they are, which then forms their destiny.

In counseling addicts are told to accept and own up to the fact that they are an addict. They may believe this because they have lived this way for so long it has become who they are. Yet that truth must be changed, it is not who they are. When this discovery is made they’re on their way to full and permanent recovery.

As we’re at the beginning(ish) of a new year, what things are you believing? About yourself, your family, your church, your job, your boss, your spouse? What doctrines are fashioning your behaviour? What truths and principles are you hearing, receiving and believing that are affecting you positively, and maybe negatively?

The Bible word for Doctrine is the Greek word “didaskalia” (pronounced “did-as-kal-ee’-ah”). It means instruction, learning, teaching. I’m a believer that God’s Word, the Bible, is the one and only place to base our value system on, the best place to receive, believe and practice it’s values and principles. If the world did that; learned the Word of God, lived the way it teaches, then LIFE would be the result! There’d be no more killing, contention and carnage.

Paul taught that true doctrine is essential for Christian growth. (See Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Timothy 4:6, 6:3, Titus 1:9). He also taught that false doctrine destroys the church. (See Ephesians 4:14, 2 Timothy 4:3). The earliest doctrine of the Christian church declared: (1) that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ. (See Acts 3:18). (2) that God had raised Him from the dead. (See Acts 1:22, 2:24, 32). And (3) that salvation was by faith in His name. (See Acts 2:38; 2:16). These three truths were presented as a clear fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament. Wow! What better place to start than believing those foundational truths! Remember, God loves you no matter what!

Someone once put 2 Timothy 3:16-17 like this.

Doctrine – shows you the path to walk on,
Reproof – shows you where you left the path,
Correction – shows you how to get back on the path,
Instruction – shows you how to stay on the path.

I like that! In this sin stained fallen world in which we live (temporarily), we have God’s unchangeable ever-living eternal Word as our guide for life. In life and business today it’s almost the in thing to have a life coach! Well, we already have one! We have God’s Word, which is not just a book, it is living, active. Alive! It is God himself teaching us and helping us and guiding us through life. Selwyn Hughes says of the Bible; “God is its author. With other books you have to understand the book in order to know the author. With the Bible you have to know the Author in order to understand the book”.

Let’s renew a commitment this year to have a passion for God’s Word! I know many of you like me will be familiar with it, having read it for many years. But, I am always amazed at how ingenious and wise and awesome and fantastic and utterly “only-God-can-do-that”, the Holy Spirit is at revealing things that I have read for years and years, and have never seen it that way before!

So what Word, Bible Word, inspired word, revealed word, is your guidance for this year? Many things will come and go this year many thoughts will pass through our minds.

It’s good at this point of the year to remind ourselves of some powerful behaviour fashioning Scriptures. For example; Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You! (NKJV). We often read and memorise those verses, but look what the next one is! Psalm 119:12 Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes! (NKJV). May that be our prayer too!

O Word incarnate, O wisdom from on high,
O truth unchanged, unchanging, O light of our dark sky,
We praise You for the radiance that from the Scripture’s page,
A lantern to our footsteps, shines on from age to age.
– William Walsham How 1867.