Be quick to abstain from senseless traditions and legends, but instead be engaged in the training of truth that brings righteousness.

1 Timothy 4:7 (TPT)

The Apostle Paul warns Timothy to stay away from divisive doctrines that make people feel fear rather than faith. Their false teachers often mix human traditions and practices with the divine revelation of God’s Word. As a result, they will preach either the extreme of legalism or the extreme of licentiousness. If we are not mindful or discerning, these so-called Christian teachings can undermine or even shipwreck our faith.

False doctrines and heresies go beyond merely having a different perspective or understanding of the Bible. They are “another gospel” and in Paul's words, their false teachers are accursed. and must be marked and avoided (Galatians 1:6-8).

Anyone who thinks that God's grace encourages moral laxity or spiritual negligence does not fully appreciate the radical power and character of God's grace. You are not left untouched by the gospel of God's grace once you know you are fully loved, accepted and approved by God. A true understanding and appreciation of grace give us the desire and power to live righteously in Christ and for Christ. Then your faith will grow as you practice doing and thinking in accordance with what God says about your righteousness in Christ.

You will experience true rest if you train yourself in the gospel truth.

This rest frees you from the burden of striving to earn God's favour since God's favour is already yours in Christ. This rest also keeps you from returning to a life of sin since God already resides within you and will give you an abundance of grace to overcome all fleshy and sinful encumbrances.

If what you believe about God and your relationship with Him does not fit or align with the gospel narrative of your established righteousness in Christ, you should hear the gospel again and again so that your faith rests in Jesus and not in people or human traditions.