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Titus 1:14
14 Not [me] giving heed [prosecho] to Jewish [Ioudaikos] fables [muthos], and [kai] commandments [entole] of men [anthropos], that turn from [apostrepho] the truth [aletheia]. KJV-Interlinear
14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. NASB
Here are several verses that shed some light on this subject.
1 Tim. 1:4
4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. NASB
2 Tim. 4:4
4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. NASB
1 Tim. 4:7
7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; NASB
Col. 2:22
22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using) — in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? NASB
In every generation of human history, there are beliefs that find their origins in myths, fables, and imagination. They are never based on fact, and certainly not on anything in reality, but they come up and are repeated so much so, that people take them as real and truthful.
It is often said, that if something is mentioned often enough, then it will become an accepted truth.
The world was believed to have been flat for many, many centuries. The earth was thought to have been the center of the universe. There was an accepted view of witches and how to deal with them.
And today when we consider the absurdities of these ideas, we still have our own contemporary fables and myths. We just happen to be a little more sophisticated in our false beliefs.
We can list many topics, and even though you my think that you maintain an open mind, we will sooner or later mention a topic that will push your button.
Today the controversial topics are religion, abortion, environmentalism, liberalism, government participation in anything, socialism, war, how to deal with people who live on the opposite side of the tracks from where you live, immigration, inter-racial relationships, and so forth.
If you are alive and breathing, then you have an opinion, one way or another, on each of these topics. And even if you have no opinion, that is still a position of sorts.
So Paul warns us here and now, that maintaining beliefs, without doctrinal support, is dangerous. Why? Because doctrine is the mechanism for teaching you to be objective, and more than that, it is the foundation for your discernment in life.
Most of life is irrelevant. Ooops, did I say irrelevant? Perhaps you have forgotten Solomon’s words – ‘All is vanity.’
And as you grow up, you will realize, that if you pursue your spiritual life objectively, that nearly everything in life, everything that we tend to make important, really isn’t.
And by the way, controversies do not have to be earth shattering topics only. They can certainly be little things that get under your skin, of which there is probably a list a mile long that could easily be mentioned.
This does not discount responsibility, honesty, integrity, due process and such things. But your spiritual life depends on your learning Bible doctrine, not on your participation in human defined norms and standards.
The Bible is the beginning of learning legitimate norms and standards. Human standards do not define the Bible.
The Bible lays the foundation for all truth. Your beliefs do not lay the foundation for the Bible.
How many of these other topics help in determining your salvation, your spiritual growth, in your ability to discern truth? None of them.
In fact, when your life is absent doctrine, then your views on life will be subject to your own personal interpretation, and throughout the world, mans interpretation is the basis for justifying anything and everything.
The beginning of wisdom starts with your respect and recognition of Gods truth. That is what fear of God means. And until you get rid of your preconceived ideas and rigid attitudes, then you will have a very difficult time in growing up to your fullest potential in your spiritual life.
