As he approached his own "departure" (2 Tim. 4:6) the apostle Paul issued a command to his "true and beloved son in the faith" (2 Tim. 1:2) to "Hold fast the pattern of sound words" (2 Tim. 1:13-14).

Jesus warned of men arising who would "deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matt. 24:24). The apostle John wrote about some who opposed the truth, saying, "They went out from us, but were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us" (1 Jn. 2:19).

We have some today - both in and out of the Lord's church - who deny the pattern of sound words. There are popular authors and bloggers who are getting the attention of many Christians by their "smooth words and flattering speech" (Rom. 16:18). While much of what they are writing has a ring of truth to it, at the same time they deny or ignore the "pattern of sound words" regarding God's plan of salvation.

I enjoy reading what other men have to say about spiritual matters. However, I have learned that, like eating watermelon, I can enjoy the fruit but need to spit out the seeds. Unfortunately, too many seem to be unwilling to spit out the seeds of error that are offered by men who are perverting the gospel (Gal. 1:7).

- Think On These Things, April-June, 2014