There has been a number of people in a number of churches, who for the past 15 to 20 years have desired to avoid doctrine.

According to them, doctrine divides, and they don't think that Jesus wants his people divided.

Their call to others has been, "Why can't we a simply love Jesus, to live together in peace, and not to divide over doctrine?"

Many people, when they heard that, thought that it sounded nice.

There has therefore been a move away from doctrine.

What strikes me as odd, is that many today, also believe that these are the last times.

So, if that is true, then why would people want avoid doctrine in the last times, especially when the Spirit, by Paul, warned:

I Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

How will Christians be able determine whether a doctrine is a doctrine of devils, or scriptural doctrine, if they do not know doctrine?

The Bereans were said to be "more noble":

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

So, if we do not search the scriptures daily, are we "less noble"?

People will say that the Spirit will protect them, perhaps even quote:

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

They may say, "See, the Spirit will guide us into all truth".

Yet, only one chapter later, Jesus said to the Father, about that truth:

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

There are many that I've known who think that the Spirit teaches and guides independent of the scriptures that he inspired.

That is why they think that they don't need the scriptures, or particularly the doctrines of the scriptures.

No, I really do not think that is the safest way for us to try to live in this world.

The only way to know when doctrines are doctrines of devils, is to know the doctrines that are the doctrines of the Spirit.

The doctrines of the Spirit are found in the scriptures that he inspired.

II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.