I’m not sure how many fans there are in this listening audience  for rapper Ice Cube, but back in the early 1990s, he famously dropped this line: “You better check yo’ self before you wreck yo’ self.”

Now, that isn’t from the Bible, but the Bible says a very similar thing in 1 Timothy 4:16. Apostle Paul tells young Pastor Timothy, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

Paul’s words to Timothy cut straight to the heart of not only pastoral ministry, but every believer’s life. There are absolutely two things that we must keep in check: our life and our doctrine. In other words, what you believe and how you live.

It’s easy to let one drift while holding tight to the other. You can have sound theology and a crumbling character. Or you can have a well-meaning heart and a misguided mind. Paul says to watch both, guard both, closely, persistently.

Why? Well, because your salvation is wrapped up in them. Good doctrine but a sinful life endangers you with hellfire. And a good life but false doctrine wrecks eternally you as well. So, you have skin in the game, so to speak, to guard both your life and doctrine well.

But it’s more than that because your walk and your words are never just about you. People are watching. People are following. And what they see in you either points them toward Christ or away from Him. They are depending on you guide them well.

So today, take inventory. Is your doctrine biblically sound? Is your life reflecting Christ? Watch yourself for your own sake and the sake of others. The stakes are higher than you think.

Change begins in you!