Here is another SNIPPET from Chapter 3 of my upcoming book, ” I am a GIANT SLAYER “
referencing one of the 7 characteristics of a Soldier of Christ

He is Sound in Faith:

We are going to spend a little time here, and focus a little longer on 2 Timothy 2:14 which tells us to “keep reminding them of these things.” So, we are going to look closely at what it means to be sound in faith.

Several times the Apostle Paul uses the word “sound” to describe something:

• • 2 Timothy 1:13 – he referred to sound teaching;
• • 2 Timothy 4:3-5 – he spoke of sound Doctrine;
• • 1 Timothy 6:3-5 – he spoke of sound instruction.

So, I decided to look up the word “sound” and find out what that means. The word sound has several definitions, but it is the medical definition that is what is of interest to us for this that we are studying.
The medical definition of sound is tested or examined. So, when the Apostle Paul describes the soldier of Christ as being sound in faith, this means that his faith has been tested and examined.

In 2nd Timothy 1:13, when the Apostle Paul tells us to “keep as the pattern of sound teaching…”, this is teaching that has been tested and examined.

In 2nd Timothy 4:3, where the Apostle Paul says that “a time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine…”, this is doctrine that has been tested and examined.

In 1st Timothy 6:3, where we are warned against “those who teach false doctrines and do not agree to the sound instructions of Our Lord…”, the sound instruction of Our Lord is an instruction that has been tested and examined.

In 1st Timothy 1:8-11, the Apostle Paul speaks of how “the law is good if it is used properly”;. and he goes on to state that it is “not made for the righteous” (those who live by faith), but it is made “for the ungodly, the sinful, the unholy, the irreligious, those who kill their fathers or mothers, or murderers, adulterers, perverts, for slave-traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God…”, this sound Doctrine is doctrine that has been tested a or examined.

In John 17:17, when Jesus Christ prayed, he said, “sanctify them by the truth, your word is truth”

So, everything that we are to base our faith, our instruction, our teaching, our doctrine on should be on the word of God because the word of God has been tested and examined to be true, and everything else is of no accord.

God’s word has a lot to say about this, and I’m going to again spend a little more time here because these are some of the things that we are seeing around us today, especially on social media.

There are so many referencing Biblical genealogies as if that is what matters when it comes to salvation, or referencing obedience to the Mosaic Law covenant, which was actually designed to show us how much of a sinner we all are because none of us can keep the Law. Remember James, the brother of Jesus, stated at James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”

Yet, there are some who are promoting keeping the Law as being the deciding factor on whether we will be found approved by our Heavenly Father. Or, they may advocate the eating of certain foods, etc. (I strongly encourage you to read Galatians chapter 3 in its entirety in reference to what God’s word has to say about genealogies and what the actual prerequisite is for being a son of God, as a seed of Abraham.)
All of these things are coming to pass today which is why it is so important that we take a closer look at what the Apostle Paul told Timothy in his first letter to Timothy if we are to be “Sound in Faith”.

Listen to what the Apostle Paul said 1 Timothy 1:3-11:

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers – 1 Timothy 1:3-11 New International Version

So, the Apostle Paul starts off by telling Timothy to command certain ones to not teach false doctrines. There is a difference between false doctrines and sound Doctrine. Sound Doctrine is doctrine that has been tested or examined, and false doctrine is doctrine that is not true. The Apostle Paul said to command certain men to not teach false doctrine any longer, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.

To devote oneself means that you’re going to give all, or a large part, of your time to something; and Paul said don’t do it.

The Apostle Paul said that these conversations actually “promote controversy rather than God’s work which is by faith. The goal of this command is love which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.” Verse 7 says, “They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about, or what they so confidently affirm.” This is serious, and should not be taken lightly because of the fact that God’s Word says that those who are teachers will be judged more strictly (James 3:1).

Listen to what the Apostle Paul says next at 1 Timothy 6:3-5

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt minds, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 New International Version

Here the Apostle Paul called the person who would teach false doctrines, and not agree with the sound instructions of Jesus Christ, conceited. He said that they understand nothing and that they have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth, and who think that godliness is a means of financial gain.

With all of this being considered, and there is more that we have not even looked at, what should stand out even more so about a soldier of Christ is that they will hold to sound teaching; and in doing so, this makes them sound in faith because their faith is grounded and rooted in the tried-and-tested word of God.

“Sanctified them by means of Truth your word is truth.” John 17:17

So, King Jesus, our Chief Commander in the Army of the LORD, commands us, as Soldiers of Christ, to hold to God’s word, and not be led by any other teaching.

Yes, there are apocryphal books in the world and other writings which are not found in the Library of 66 books that we call the Holy Scriptures (BIBLE). Even John said at Jesus Christ did so many more things that are not even written, and that if they were written, “that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written (John 21:25) Yes, there are books such as Maccabees, Baruch, Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, and more that will complement God’s Word. I have written many books, as well as others, that complement God’s Word. But our primary Source, that we are to refer back to, and by which we are to measure all that we hear and believe in God’s Word the BIBLE alone.

Again, Jesus said, “Sanctify them by means of truth, YOUR WORD is truth.”

So, 2Timothy 2:14, which is what we’re looking at as we consider the character of a soldier of Christ, which is that he is sound in faith, tells us to keep reminding others of these things and to warn them before God against quarreling about words. The reason why is because it is of no value and it only ruins those who listen.

With that being said, answer the following about the character of a soldier of Christ who is Sound in Faith:

I hope that you enjoyed this snippet from the Master class being presented with my upcoming book GIANT SLAYER. It was this Masterclass that caused the delay in my book being released in 2021. Great things are coming in 2022.