Yeah, but . . .

They will turn their ears away from the truth.                                — 2 Timothy 4:4

Grading university papers is full of surprises. Sometimes, one of my students will successfully handle a subject and display good writing style, and I feel as if my instruction was worthwhile.

Other surprises aren’t so pleasant. Like the paper in which a student wrote, “The Bible says, ‘Thou shalt not___.’ ” He filled in the blank with the activity he was writing about — even though Scripture does not contain such a verse. I thought his biggest problem was not knowing Scripture, until he concluded. “Although the Bible says this is wrong, I don’t see why, so I think it’s okay.”

It’s dangerous and the worst kind of arrogance to think we know more about an issue than God does. Scripture predicted this kind of thinking. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4: “They will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires . . . they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth” (vv. 3-4). This points to people who set aside the inspired Word of God (3:16) in order to accept teaching they think is “okay.”

When the Bible clearly spells out a principle, we honor God by obeying Him. For believers, there’s no room for “Yeah, but . . .” responses to Scripture. — Dave Branon

God who formed worlds by the power of His word

Speaks through the Scriptures His truth to be heard;

And if we read with the will to obey,

He by His Spirit will show us His way.                                                    — D. De Haan

READ: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

The Bible: Read it,

believe it, obey it!

The Bible in one year:

• Psalms 77-78

• Romans 10