WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MAY 27, 2026
TOPIC: ABIDE IN THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST
BY T. O. BANSO
“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9 New King James Version).
Another word for doctrine is teaching. The Bible mentions different kinds of doctrines, including the doctrines of men (Colossians 2:22), the doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1), and strange doctrines (Hebrews 13:9). The Bible also speaks about the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9), good doctrine (Proverbs 4:2; 1 Timothy 4:6), the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:12), new doctrine (Mark 1:27; Acts 17:19), the Apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42), and sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:10; Titus 1:9; 2:1). Other types of doctrine include the doctrine of God (Titus 2:10), the doctrine of Balaam (Revelation 2:14), and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Revelation 2:15). This devotional focuses on the doctrine or teaching of Christ
The apostle John says, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9 New King James Version). The phrase “the doctrine of Christ” is mentioned twice in this verse. The doctrine of Christ means the teaching of Christ, Christ’s doctrine or teaching, or what Christ taught. GOD’S WORD Translation renders 2 John 1:9 thus: “Everyone who doesn’t continue to teach what Christ taught doesn’t have God. The person who continues to teach what Christ taught has both the Father and the Son.” This scripture emphasises the need for Christ’s followers, or Christians, to abide in, remain in, or continue in Christ’s doctrine—what He taught while on earth.
To abide in the doctrine of Christ also means to obey or keep to His teaching. The Bible in Basic English renders 2 John 1:9 thus: “Anyone who goes on and does not keep to the teaching of Christ, has not God: he who keeps to the teaching has the Father and the Son.” Jesus says further that if anyone comes to His followers and does not bring this doctrine or teaching, they should not receive him into their houses or greet him, for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds (verses 10-11).
As highlighted earlier, the Bible mentions various doctrines. Even today, we have them, and if you are a child of God or a follower of Christ, you must not allow yourself to be led astray. Don’t allow anyone to deceive you with doctrines that are different from Christ’s doctrine. This is why you must study your Bible and know His teaching so that if anyone wants to mislead you, your knowledge of the truth will preserve you.
There are heretical teachers today just as there were in the time of the apostles. The apostle Peter says, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1 New King James Version).
Beware! Not everyone who claims to be a servant of God is. Furthermore, not everyone who preaches or teaches the Bible is genuine or ministering the truth. Jesus warns in Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (New King James Version). Also, in Mark 13:22, Jesus says, “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (New King James Version).
Beware! Don’t be deceived. The apostle Paul states that false apostles, deceitful workers, transform themselves into apostles of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13). Addressing the elders of the Ephesian church, Paul warns, “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29 New King James Version).
We have savage wolves today whose teaching is inconsistent with Christ’s. They are peddling worthless, strange, and novel doctrines—the doctrines of men and of demons. Don’t believe them, no matter their status, large following, or even the signs and wonders they perform. Jesus says you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). Do not accept everything a minister says completely, without hesitation or reservation, just because of his fame.
Search the scriptures and hold only to the truth that ministers preach or teach. Be like the Christians in Berea. Acts 17:11 says the Berean Christians were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether the things they were taught were so.
The apostles received Christ’s teaching, walked in them, and taught their listeners the same everywhere they went. Christ’s doctrine became the apostles’ doctrine. 1 Corinthians 3:11 says that no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. The apostles built on the foundation that Jesus had laid. Every doctrine that does not agree with what Christ taught during His earthly ministry is unsound. Do not listen to the doctrines of demons, strange doctrines, and worthless doctrines. Do not be deceived by the modern-day doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees, the doctrine of Balaam, or the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
Remain in Christ’s doctrine. Titus 2:10 refers to the doctrine of God our Saviour. Christ’s doctrine was God’s doctrine. “Jesus answered them and said, ‘My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me’” (John 7:16 New King James Version). His doctrine was from God, and He spoke on His authority (verse 17).
If you are a minister of the gospel, let your doctrine be Christ’s doctrine. In 2 Timothy 3:10, Paul refers to his doctrine, which can be described as Christ’s doctrine, because in 1 Corinthians 11:1 he states that the Corinthians should imitate him, just as he imitates Christ.
What is your doctrine? Let your doctrine be Christ’s. Let it be sound. Let your church doctrine be consistent with that of Christ. Writing to Timothy, his son in the ministry, Paul says, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16 New King James Version). Take heed to your doctrine.
Don’t teach any other doctrine but Christ’s doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3). Speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). Don’t teach as doctrines the commandments of men (Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7). Be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine, following the doctrine of Christ (1 Timothy 4:6).
In 1 Timothy 6:3-5, the Bible says if anyone teaches a different doctrine and doesn’t consent to sound words—the words of our Lord Jesus Christ—and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing. Instead, he is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, and useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds who are destitute of the truth and suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Believers should withdraw from such a person.
Abide in Christ’s doctrine. Don’t depart from it. Be careful of following all manner of doctrines. Grow up. God doesn’t want you to be an infant, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:14).
Let Christ’s doctrine be yours; let your doctrine be Christ’s. In other words, learn Christ’s doctrine and teach and live Christ’s doctrine. Embrace Christ’s doctrine and remain in it. Jesus says you must abide in Him to be fruitful (John 15:4-6). He says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7 New King James Version). Don’t live contrary to Christ’s doctrine, which you have learnt and avoid those who live contrary to it (Romans 16:17). Hold fast to the doctrine of Christ. Abide in it.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must give your heart to Jesus now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: I shall not teach, receive, or believe doctrines of demons, strange teaching, or worthless philosophies, but rather Christ’s doctrine. I shall not exchange Christ’s teaching for any other, and His doctrine shall be the foundation of my life. Holy Spirit, deliver all who have been led astray and are held captive by false teaching. Open their eyes to the truth, set them free, and help them abide in the doctrine of Christ.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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