A. W. Tozer said.....

A. W. Tozer had this to say about sound Doctrine:

" Moral power has always accompanied definitive beliefs. [b]Great saints have always been dogmatic. We need right now a return to a gentle dogmatism that smiles while it stands stubborn and firm on the Word of God that liveth and abideth forever.[/b]

[url=http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/tozer/5j00.0010/5j00.0010.37.htm]Tozer--The Importance of Sound Doctrine[/url]

Sincerely,

Walter

To ChrisJD:

You obviously did not read the link to what Toser had to say. What he is addressing is that the state of the Chruch today is a direct result of evangelical Christians being brainwashed about the importance of sound doctrine:

[b]"Little by little evangelical Christians these days are being brainwashed. One evidence is that increasing numbers of them are becoming ashamed to be found unequivocally on the side of truth. They say they believe but their beliefs have been so diluted as to be impossible of clear definition.[/b]

[b]Haziness of doctrine has always been the mark of the liberal. When the Holy Scriptures are rejected as the final authority on religious belief something must be found to take their place. Historically that something has been either reason or sentiment: if sentiment, it has been humanism. Sometimes there has been an admixture of the two, as may be seen in liberal churches today. These will not quite give up the Bible, neither will they quite believe it; the result is an unclear body of beliefs more like a fog than a mountain, where anything may be true but nothing may be trusted as being certainly true.

Certain of our evangelical brethren appear to be laboring under the impression that they are advanced thinkers because they are rethinking evolution and reevaluating various Bible doctrines or even divine inspiration itself; but so far are they from being advanced thinkers that THEY ARE MERELY TIMID FOLLOWERS OF MODERNISM--FIFTY YEARS BEHIND THE PARADE."
[/b]

Since you did not read the link, ChrisJD, I will post it here in it's entirety. It is dedicated to you, and others that support your position:

The Importance of Sound Doctrine

IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE to overemphasize the importance of sound doctrine in the life of a Christian. Right thinking about all spiritual matters is imperative if we would have right living. As men do not gather grapes of thorns nor figs of thistles, sound character does not grow out of unsound teaching.

The word doctrine means simply religious beliefs held and taught. It is the sacred task of all Christians, first as believers and then as teachers of religious beliefs, to be certain that these beliefs correspond exactly to truth. A precise agreement between belief and fact constitutes soundness in doctrine. We cannot afford to have less.

The apostles not only taught truth but contended for its purity against any who would corrupt it. The Pauline epistles resist every effort of false teachers to introduce doctrinal vagaries. John's epistles are sharp with condemnation of those teachers who harassed the young church by denying the incarnation and throwing doubts upon the doctrine of the Trinity; and Jude in his brief but powerful epistle rises to heights of burning eloquence as he pours scorn upon evil teachers who would mislead the saints.

Each generation of Christians must look to its beliefs. While truth itself is unchanging, the minds of men are porous vessels out of which truth can leak and into which error may seep to dilute the truth they contain. The human heart is heretical by nature and runs to error as naturally as a garden to weeds. All a man, a church or a denomination needs to guarantee deterioration of doctrine is to take everything for granted and do nothing. The unattended garden will soon be overrun with weeds; the heart that fails to cultivate truth and root out error will shortly be a theological wilderness; the church or denomination that grows careless on the highway of truth will before long find itself astray, bogged down in some mud flat from which there is no escape.

In every field of human thought and activity accuracy is considered a virtue. To err ever so slightly is to invite serious loss, if not death itself. Only in religious thought is faithfulness to truth looked upon as a fault. When men deal with things earthly and temporal they demand truth; when they come to the consideration of things heavenly and eternal they hedge and hesitate as if truth either could not be discovered or didn't matter anyway.

Montaigne said that a liar is one who is brave toward God and a coward toward men; for a liar faces God and shrinks from men. Is this not simply a proof of unbelief? Is it not to say that the liar believes in men but is not convinced of the existence of God, and is willing to risk the displeasure of a God who may not exist rather than that of man who obviously does?

I think also that deep, basic unbelief is back of human carelessness in religion. The scientist, the physician, the navigator deals with matters he knows are real; and because these things are real the world demands that both teacher and practitioner be skilled in the knowledge of them. The teacher of spiritual things only is required to be unsure in his beliefs, ambiguous in his remarks and tolerant of every religious opinion expressed by anyone, even by the man least qualified to hold an opinion.

Haziness of doctrine has always been the mark of the liberal. When the Holy Scriptures are rejected as the final authority on religious belief something must be found to take their place. Historically that something has been either reason or sentiment: if sentiment, it has been humanism. Sometimes there has been an admixture of the two, as may be seen in liberal churches today. These will not quite give up the Bible, neither will they quite believe it; the result is an unclear body of beliefs more like a fog than a mountain, where anything may be true but nothing may be trusted as being certainly true.

We have gotten accustomed to the blurred puffs of gray fog that pass for doctrine in modernistic churches and expect nothing better, but it is a cause for real alarm that the fog has begun of late to creep into many evangelical churches. From some previously unimpeachable sources are now coming vague statements consisting of a milky admixture of Scripture, science and human sentiment that is true to none of its ingredients because each one works to cancel the others out.

Certain of our evangelical brethren appear to be laboring under the impression that they are advanced thinkers because they are rethinking evolution and reevaluating various Bible doctrines or even divine inspiration itself; but so far are they from being advanced thinkers that they are merely timid followers of modernism-fifty years behind the parade.

Little by little evangelical Christians these days are being brainwashed. One evidence is that increasing numbers of them are becoming ashamed to be found unequivocally on the side of truth. They say they believe but their beliefs have been so diluted as to be impossible of clear definition.

Moral power has always accompanied definitive beliefs. Great saints have always been dogmatic. We need right now a return to a gentle dogmatism that smiles while it stands stubborn and firm on the Word of God that liveth and abideth forever.

Sincerely,

Walter

ChrisJD wrote:
"Who [i]is[/i] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [i]is[/i] earthly, sensual, devilish.

For where envying and strife [i]is[/i], there [i]is[/i] confusion and every evil work.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [i]and[/i] easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

- James 3:13-18(KJV)

To ChrisJD:

My response to you, ChrisJD had to do with your entire post, not just the gentle part of it:

This is what you posted:

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

- James 3:13-18(KJV)

My position is that the Church has been compromised by the glad handers, those that think the way is broad, and the door is wide- the wider the better. Thr Doctrine of the Church has been sorely compromised in the past 129 years, ever since the newer Bible versions (perversions) were birthed by the 1881 "revision" of the New Testament by two liberals, who were actually closet catholics.

Now, today, when we see the apostate church forming before our vety eyes, a combination of catholocism, and all of the other religions, including mainstream Christianity as well as Budhism, and other ism's we can see the problem.

What is the problem? Sound Doctrine is no longer being taught in our Churches. It is the old Rodney King story--[b]why can't we all get along?[/b].

We cannot all get along. There is only Doctrine, and only one Lord. Christians that cannot understand that are contributing to the slide of the Church into apostacy.

2 Timothy chapter 2 tells us we are to:

15. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

We are all supposedly Christians here, and sound Doctrine must be of the highest importance. And what we post must be supported by Scripture.

Sincerely,

Walter

I've interviewed parents who think 'love' is to let their children do what they please. No boundaries, no parameters, no structure. Now if we are to get our parenting skills as such from the Bible, does that seem practical?? God was patient, but did He look the other way when His children did wrong??

God's love is merciful but it is not 'excusitory'(if that's a word). I wouldn't truly love my daughter if I let her run across the street at will. I wouldn't love her if I didn't discipline her if there wasn't a consequence to an action that I knew would harm her.

God's love is wrapped in mercy. Our love is wrapped in obedience. This trade-off is relationship. The difference is that His mercy is constant and eternal, my obedience is sporadic, temporal, and void of my own strength. Doctrine is wrapped in obedience and mercy. Tilt the scales too much to one side, and we make God to be on our side!!! Doctrine lacks truth when void of Holy Spirit wisdom and perspective.

History has proven that man takes to the extreme both sides of the truth, which minimizes any truth thereof. Caution an perspective is necessary.

I consider Tozer to be my Christian grandfather. I absolutely love the man.

To ChrisJD:

Should We Never Judge?

"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment"; and "You have rightly judged."; and "Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?"; and "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves". (Jesus' Words in John 7:24; Luke 7:43, 12:57 and Matt. 23:15)

[b]There is an extremely serious error that is being believed by the vast majority of people in body of Christ today. This error is literally making those folks unwilling and unable to discern truth. And what is this error? It is believing that all "judgment" is wrong.[/b] If this is true, then what is to be made of Jesus' Words above? In the verses above, Jesus clearly commands people to judge, commends people for judging, and judges himself.

[b]The key point to understand is that NOT ALL judgment is wrong, just various types of judgment. The types of judgment that are wrong according to Jesus are condemnation, as well as hypocritical and self-righteous judgment. On the other hand, right judgment is commended by Jesus as we see above. Right judgment includes the judging of truth versus falsehood. The sincere, serious and sober judgment of our own sins, as well as the gentle, and compassionate judgment and correction of other's beliefs or sins.

What is the matter with 'judging'?

Tragically, Satan is doing a masterful job in christianity's organizations in regard to confusing people over the issue of "judgment". People have been lead to believe that it is "un-loving" to correct someone who is in error, whether by word or deed. Certainly many have contributed to Satan's lie of "don't judge anyone" by being harsh, ungracious or unmerciful in their judgments. It is easy for a person - after being excoriated by a modern day Pharisee who is telling them that they are going to hell if they don't believe something that Jesus doesn't even address - to be pushed to believe that all "judgment" is wrong.

In like manner, many more have contributed to Satan's lie by taking the position that anything said to correct someone, no matter how gently done, is "ungracious" or unloving. These folks are the counterfeit believers who dogmatically state that all judgment is wrong (except their own of course!), especially the kind that points out the falsehoods they are believing. I can't count how many times have I heard the accusation, "oh, brother, you should not say that those who believe the doctrine's of the christian church are in error - that is judging them and Jesus says we are not to judge others. You are being divisive by your judgment. You need to come to an understanding of Jesus' love…" Notice how I am judged as "un-loving" comparing Christianities beliefs with Jesus' Words. I could be the kindest, most gentle, caring, compassionate, giving, selfless person on the planet (which I am not), but if I believe that the teachings of christianity lead people away from Jesus, then I am judged as "un-loving" and usually much worse. Ironic, isn't it? That when I try to point out how a teaching of Jesus contradicts a doctrine of christianity, I will be judged as a heretic or worse? So, while I try to look at a belief that someone holds, and they don't like the truth that I might be bringing, they are only too quick to break their own "don't be judgmental" belief to condemn my person.

Guess who is being judged as un-loving and divisive in these last days? The True and Real Jesus himself is being judged as un-loving and divisive, for he said, "I am the Way, the truth and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). Of course the Jesus that christianity creates is approved however.

'Watch out - you better not judge'

Surely you have either been accused yourself, or have been the accuser, saying to someone something like, "you had better be careful, brother, you are judging someone and Jesus says we are not to judge". Normally, this response comes when you have said (or have heard someone say) something that is perceived as negative (in reality probably corrective) about some person or belief or event or organization.

The truth is we all make judgments all the time. If you see a man beating up a young child, you will make a judgment that his behavior is wrong and needs to be stopped. If you hear a person say something you perceive as negative about your mother or children, then you will immediately judge that person's words! If you decide not to go into a certain neighborhood during the evening hours, then you are making a judgment. As you listen to some preacher say that God commands you this night to give your entire savings account to his ministry, you will make a judgment. As you are reading my words in this article, you are judging them against your understanding of what is truth. This is a good thing, for the Lord commands it (John 4:24, 8:32), and it is part of the rational mind that God gave us to seek truth.

Telling people not to judge is irrational, for in doing so, you yourself have judged their words or actions, and that is why you told them not to judge! As soon as you tell someone not to judge, you yourself have judged their opinion or judgment as somehow wrong. This can make for an irrational go around of accusations of 'you better not judge'. The real issue that must be recognized before the emotions get too impassioned, is what is the truth regarding the matter at hand. Instead of accusing one another of 'judging', what should happen is the more spiritually mature person should ask the all important question, "what does Jesus say in regard to this issue?" This is always the proper way out from accusations of "judge not". Sadly, in many circumstances, those accusing another of 'judging' are not interested in what Jesus has to say, but rather in protecting their own incorrect opinions or tightly held traditions of men of which christianity is full.

How to Judge the Lord's Way

How do we untangle this mess about "judging"? The solution is not difficult to understand, but it is difficult to live by. If you will remember and live by these next four principles of Jesus regarding judgment, you will be walking according to the Lord's mercy and truth in this extremely important matter of "judging".

First, we are to judge all things (people's behavior and words/beliefs) against Jesus' Words, for Jesus, who is the Word of God, is the standard of truth (John 14:6; 17:17).
(In regard to this first principle of judging, it is extremely important to distinguish between a person's beliefs/doctrine versus their amoral behaviors or physical characteristics. We are to carefully judge all beliefs against Jesus' teachings, and we are NOT to judge people's amoral behavior. Amoral behavior means non-faith customs, traditions, ceremonies or actions that have no moral or spiritual implication. For example, the way someone brushes their teeth, or how or what someone eats, or the manner of their speaking, etc. We are also not to judge someone's physical appearance i.e. their body shape, skin color or facial structure.)

Second, when judging other's behaviors and words, we are to be careful that we are not committing similar sins or errors (Matt. 7:1-6). To be correcting someone for a sin that we have not gained control over (by the power of the Holy Spirit) is hypocritical.
Third, we are to be slow to judge and quick to listen and to forgive (Matt. 7:1-6, 6:14-15).
Fourth and finally, we are not to condemn anyone as hopelessly beyond the reach of God's mercy (Luke 6:37). The follower of Jesus should never tell someone, "you're going to end up in hell, period". Not even Jesus - the only one to ascend into heaven (John 3:13), and thus could justly give that judgment, and who certainly knew many people who were going to end up in hell - brought that condemnation.
'Well, O.K, but we are not to judge the heart…'

Often, when trying to point out to someone that someone's beliefs might be wrong, and they don't want to hear that their favorite teacher is leading them away from Jesus, they will say, 'Oh, but we are not to judge the heart'. Now, even if you said nothing about the person's "heart", or the organization's leader's motivations, many people will still try to force you to stop exposing the falsehood by using this emotional battering ram. Who wants to condemn someone's heart? No one, and we shouldn't regarding how the mercy of God might minister to them at the moment or in the future. In addition, we certainly are not to judge the motives of men's hearts, for only the Lord knows for certain the 'why' of someone's actions or words (Jer. 17:9; Matt. 13:28-30; Luke 8:17, 16:15; John 2:24, 25). But, dear reader, this does not mean we are not to correct then, or point out that their thought (or "heart") on the matter, is sinful. For Jesus says, "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man." (Matthew 15:18) If I am defiling myself before God and am ignorant about it, I would appreciate someone telling me so that I could stop!

Let us take a look at a few men other than Jesus who made some pretty serious judgments in the New Testament.

First, the sent one Peter said to a man named Simon, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God…For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." (Acts 8:20-23)

Now, for the 'don't judge the heart' folks, it appears Peter is sinning here. But if a person believes that all scripture is "God's Word", then that person would have to reconcile their "don't judge the heart" belief with this statement of Peter. Peter clearly says, "…for your heart is not right in the sight of God…" Cleary, Peter is "judging the heart" of Simon in this passage. Peter must have had these words of Jesus in mind in this situation: "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man." (Matthew 15:18). When Peter saw Simon's actions, and heard the words of Simon's mouth, he could make a correct judgment about the man's heart i.e. that it was "not right in the sight of God". He judged the fruit, not the unspoken motivation. We should keep Jesus' command in Matt. 7:1-6 close to our heart before making such a judgment.

Peter makes a similar judgment in Acts 5:4 against a man named Ananias. In that case, he said to Ananias, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Again, we see Peter judging a man's actions and words to arrive at a judgment regarding the man's heart - and quite a strong judgment at that i.e. "…Satan filled your heart…" Again, this author is not saying that Peter's actions were right. But what I am saying is that for those who believe both the doctrine of biblical inerrancy; and the popular doctrine of "don't judge a person's heart"; that these texts provide contradictions for those who hold both those beliefs.[/b]

[b][color=993300]Twisting Jesus' Words: Matthew 7:1-2[/color][/b]

[b]Probably the most mis-interpreted and thus the most mis-understood verse on this matter of judgment is Matt. 7:1-6. Here, Jesus gives us His command regarding the wrong type of judgment - the judgment in hypocrisy. Jesus says, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." Let us examine these verses a little more closely.

The reason these verses have so much force behind them is because they are spoken by the the Father's beloved only begotton Son. Jesus can condemn hypocrisy perfectly and soundly because of who he is - the sinless Son of God. Thus, when we read his words here, we should be heavily impacted by them and desire to be slow to judge people (Jesus in Matt. 5-7 is giving commands to his disciples, and in 7:3 says "your brother's eye"). However, what is equally clear is that Jesus doesn't contradict himself, and yet he clearly, on other occasions, commanded men to make judgments (John 7:24; Luke 7:43, 12:57). If you interpret his Words as meaning "You are not to judge", then Jesus clearly broke His own command on numerous occasions (Matt. 23, John 8). If you believe this, then his breaking his own commands would make him a hypocrite, and thus would disqualify him from being God's Messiah. If you are a true follower of Jesus, then you will not end up at this conclusion and will seek a little deeper.

The key verse and word for understanding Matt. 7:1-6 properly is found in verse 5, and that word is "hypocrite". If you recall the four points of judgment given above, Jesus is addressing point number two here, the second most important point. Jesus is dealing with hypocritical judgment in these verses. It addresses one of our biggest problems as people who retain the sinful nature. We are so quick to judge others more strictly than we judge ourselves. Our own sins always look so much worse on other people! [link to Ignoring the One You Love?] If we stop and solemnly examine our own walk before the Lord, we should arrive at the conclusion that to avoid hypocrisy, we really ought to be slow to judge! This problem cannot be overstated too much. In fact, it is the primary problem stemming from our pride, which leads us to walk according to our flesh rather than abiding in the Son.

In fact, the main point Jesus wants us to understand from these verses is that we are not to judge hypocritically, and thus we are to judge slowly, patiently and mercifully. However, these verses certainly do not teach that we are never to try and correct those who are erring. This truth is born out by two important phrases in these verses. First, verse 5 which states, "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Obviously Jesus is allowing for humble, compassionate judgment here by saying that after you understand your own struggle with sin, THEN you can help your brother with his sin. Again, his whole point is that we are not to judge hypocritically or self-righteously.

The second point that reinforces the fact that Jesus does not condemn all judgment in these verses in Matt. 7, is verse 6. It is a curious verse seemingly out of place after verse 5 and before verse 7, but it is in just the right place. It is a follow up on verse 5. What it is teaching is that if you do approach your brother - the one mentioned in verse 5 with the speck in his eye - with humility and true compassionate love, and he/she rejects your gentle correction, then they are to be avoided as those disregarding the Lord's commands and yet claiming to be his disciples. The implication of this is far reaching - I hope the reader meditates on this truth until he/she understands it.

This principle is the same one Jesus states in the upcoming Matt. 18:15ff. In Matt. 18:15ff, the Lord lays out the type of discipline that is to be occurring within the local Families of believers. In summary, the principle is that if someone calling themselves a follower of Jesus, is involved in unrepentant sin, then that person is to be corrected with increasing levels of earnestness. If that person rejects the attempts of the other disciples to bring correction, then they are to be avoided, in as much as they are to be treated as, "heathen and tax collectors" (Matt.18:17). Matt. 7:6 has the same meaning as Matt. 18:17. Thus, at the end of the "judgment" passage, Jesus teaches we are to stay away from whose who say they are his disciples, yet who reject him and his ways.

In summary, those who are quick to castigate someone with Matt. 7:1-2 must do so by wrenching the scripture out of context and ignoring the following verses 3 - 6. This is most unfortunate, and might be a sign that the individual who does so is not walking in the Lord's truth and holiness.[/b]

[b][color=993300]Conclusion

Truth cannot be found without searching for it. Logic is useless if people are unwilling to take a few steps into the argument to find the truth. All truth that is eternally important is found in Jesus' Words and truth is understood and received by the enlightenment of the Spirit. Jesus was so concerned about the truth that He said regarding himself, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Jesus was so concerned about the truth that He said regarding the Holy Spirit, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will tell you things to come." (John 16:13). Jesus was so concerned about the truth that He said regarding His Father, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth." (John 17:17) Jesus was so concerned about the truth that He said regarding his salvation, "If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

It is remarkable that what is written above is not understood by most men and women under 65 years of age - that those professing to believe in the one who says he is the Truth - are believing that all correction of a person's DOCTRINE IS SINFUL JUDMENTALISM! Jesus' Words PROVE that this irrational position of 'judge nothing' is wrong. The truth is that the FALSE GOSPEL OF SELF ESTEEM PREACHED BY SO MANY PSYCHOLOGIZERS OF THE FAITH, HAS CONTRIBUTED HEAVILY TO BELIEVING THE FALSEHOOD THAT ALL "JUDGMENT" IS WRONG. The psychologizers have labeled all corrective judgment as "negative" or "harsh" or their favorite, "un-loving".

The only type of judgment approved by the psychologizers is "positive" or "uplifting" or encouraging" "advise" [link to Can 'Christian' Psychology Help Me?]. Yes, believers are to encourage one another IN THE FAITH, for there is far too little encouraging of one another. Yet we cannot follow Jesus without a love for him and for his Words which he says are the Truth.

Blindness and confusion reign these days in christian body of Christ, and mostly from the younger believers. How we ought to have a strong passion and desire to avoid being the object of these Words of the Son of the Father, "depart from Me, for I never knew you".

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Sincerely,

Walter
[/color][/b]

ChrisJD wrote:

This is what we call the acid test of love -- does a man obey the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ? It makes no difference how much we talk about our love if we do not obey Christ. It is obedience that counts, not words. Obedience without love is theoretically possible, but love without obedience is, in practice, impossible. It is a satanic substitute for God's plan.

"...My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [i]whether[/i] I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."

John 7:16-18(KJV)

"I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him."

John 8:26(KJV)

"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same [i]is[/i] a perfect man, [i]and[/i] able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though [i]they be[/i] so great, and [i]are[/i] driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue [i]is[/i] a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."

James 3:1-6(KJV)

"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, [i]even so[/i] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, [i]let him speak[/i] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [i]let him do it[/i] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

1Peter 4:8-11(KJV)

"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themseves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without [i]our[/i] measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. For we stretch not ourselves beyond [i]our measure[/i], as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in [i]preaching[/i] the gospel of Christ:"

2Corinthians 10:12-14(KJV)

[i]Edited to correct an ommision in verse number[/i]