Life and Doctrine

I Timothy 4:16

ESV says: Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

NIV says: Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

I have been thinking about this verse and think that it is much easier to "watch your life" than it is to "watch your doctrine."

It's easier to make a list of do's and don'ts. It's easier to teach people lists of do's and don'ts.

Doctrine sounds boring. Like something only "dead" theologians in "dead" denominations care about.

It is interesting that Paul puts actions and thinking together in this list. And not only that, he goes on to say that proper doctrine/teaching is critical to our salvation and that of those who listen to us.

So, be on the lookout for bad doctrine. I think the best way to do that is to be familiar with good doctrine! Which brings us back to "the Word".