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“The truth which is after godliness” (Titus 1:1).
“The doctrine which is according to godliness” (1 Timothy 6:3).
In these verses we have both doctrine (teaching) and truth, and they are said to be “after” or “according to” godliness. This means simply that good spiritual teaching, and the truth of the Word of God, will result in godliness in our lives. If we listen to good teaching, learn the truth of God, and then apply it in our lives, it will make us more like Christ. Also, it will honor God, and bring glory to Him. Bad teaching always results in sin and takes away from God’s glory.
There is a simple test we can apply to any kind of spiritual teaching — does it honor God, or does it honor man? If it honors man it is always bad teaching, for good teaching and God’s truth always honor God.
Many of those to whom Timothy and Titus were sent came from bad backgrounds, and even as Christians they needed to be reminded not to allow bad teaching to spoil their Christian lives. We need to be on guard for this too.
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