Doctrinal Maturity

A great word from John Piper on the importance of doctrinal maturity...

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:20, "Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; be babes in evil but in thinking be mature." ... Clear doctrine requires thought, and thought is seen to be the enemy of feeling, so it is resisted. There is the widespread sense that the Holy Spirit will guard the church from all error and so rigorous study and thought about the gospel are felt to be not only a threat to joy but a failure of faith. The result over a generation is the emergence of a people whose understanding of Biblical teaching is so hazy and imprecise that they are sitting ducks for the Galatians heresy. It arises right in their midst. Paul said to the elders of Ephesus in Acts 20:30, "From among your own selves will arise men speaking distorted things to draw away the disciples after them" He says in verse 27 that he has done his part to prepare them by "declaring the whole counsel of God."