You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. (Titus 2:1)
Expanded Passage: Titus 2:1-2
In some places, a new school year is underway or will soon begin.
In a Peanuts comic strip, it was the first day of school. The teacher had instructed the students to write an essay about coming back to school after having the summer off.
Lucy wrote, “Vacations are nice, but it’s good to get back to school. There is nothing more satisfying or challenging than education, and I look forward to a year of expanding knowledge.” The teacher commended Lucy for her fine essay, and in the final frame of the comic strip, Lucy leans over and whispers to Charlie Brown, “After a while, you learn what sells.”
I suppose we all face the temptation from time to time to “do what sells” or “teach what sells.” Some writers do it. Advertisers do it. Maybe even some preachers do it. And parents can certainly cave in to “what sells” rather than facing their children with some hard truth.
The reason Paul urged Timothy to “teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine” is that he wanted him to be committed to communicating the truth, even if it wasn’t popular. Paul constantly battled false teaching in the churches. His greatest weapon was the truth.
It’s still true today. Popular culture is often at odds with the Bible’s teaching. We must always strive to come down on the side of truth.
Be well-acquainted with God’s Word as your best source of truth.
Ron McClung is a retired minister in The Wesleyan Church who enjoys writing and loves interacting with his large family.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
