Many people seek out teachers who will say what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. The desire to be liked and accepted has caused some teachers to create watered-down representations of God’s truth. It’s a popular way of leading because it can draw a crowd yet not fulfill the requirements of biblical leadership.

Toward the end of his life, near the time of his death, Paul wrote his final epistle, II Timothy. He had closing thoughts to relay to Timothy that would be significant if Timothy continued to follow Paul’s example. 

Paul wrote, “You must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you” (II Timothy 3:14). Timothy, like all teachers, could be tempted to wander from the substance and truth of Scripture teaching the opinions and interpretations of people, but not the truth of God. 

Paul reminded Timothy of his personal history, “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus” (vs. 15). Without the wisdom of Scripture, Timothy would be tempted to drift away from the truth preaching and teaching what is popular but not the complete truth.

Paul reminded Timothy of the reason and purpose of why He should remain true to God’s word, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right” (vs. 16). When Scripture is preached as God’s truth, it will remind us of where we have gone astray, especially when what is being taught may sound harsh and corrective to ears not trained to hear and trust the truth. 

As Paul was coming to the end of his teaching about remaining true to God’s word, he gave Timothy the reason why this is so important, “God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (vs. 17). To be fully equipped for these good works is to be a person who has embraced the truth of Scripture.

Paul told Timothy what staying true to the word will require of him in his ministry, “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching” (II Timothy 4: 2).

At the end of his teaching, Paul issued a final warning to Timothy, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths” (vs. 3-4).

We don’t have to follow the path of delusion if we remain true to God’s word and seek out teachers who will do the same. Those teachers will speak the truth in love even if that truth is uncomfortable and confront us where our faith has taken a wrong turn. That is the evidence of sound and wholesome teaching.