Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

Hebrews 13:7-8

I’ve heard the first sentence in the passage above quoted time and time again. You probably have as well, but how often have we considered it in the context of the passage?

Because Jesus is always the same, we can trust the teachings provided to us through the inspired Word of God in the Scriptures. And so if we know what the Bible teaches, we are also less likely to be “led away by diverse and strange teachings.”

Paul wrote much the same to Timothy-

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

2 Timothy 4:3

If someone presents a “new teaching” or understanding of a Biblical doctrine, what do you do?