When most Bible students think of Ecclesiastes 12, verse 13 comes to mind.  Solomon began the closing of the book with the memorable words, “¹³ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  However, the verses before those famous words are significant as well.

Ecclesiastes 12:11-12 (ESV)
¹¹  The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. ¹²  My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

The one Shepherd is God, and the wise words and collected sayings referred to the inspired words given by God to selected men.  When it comes to religious matters, we should beware of anything beyond those words.  If you want to know God’s will, the Bible should be your first and most-often referenced book.  Paul spoke similar words to the saints at Corinth.

1 Corinthians 4:6 (ESV)
⁶  I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written…

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul emphasized that his source of faith was what was written (2 Corinthians 4:13).  Such must be the case with us as well.  Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  This being the case, and knowing that our time is limited, we should be very selective about the things that we read.  There is nothing wrong with some recreational reading, as long as we leave ourselves plenty of time to spend in God’s Word.  Reading things of a spiritual nature, however, should be done with much caution and high alert.

Paul warned us of the danger of associating with false doctrine.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
³³  Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”   

We use this passage most often to warn about associating with immoral people.  Our association with the ungodly of this world should be restrictive and limited (Psalms 1:1; Proverbs 4:14-15).  However, a closer examination of 1 Corinthians 15:33 and its context, reveals that the bad company under consideration is not the ungodly, but the teachers of false doctrine.  In first Corinthians 15, the false doctrine was a denial of the resurrection, but the application can be made of any false teaching.

Our association with false teachers does not have to be in person.  A lot of damage can be done when we immerse ourselves in the many books and writings that they produce.  This brings us back to the original warning of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12.  Beware of anything beyond the Word of God in your personal studies.  Avoid being engrossed with the doctrines of men found in their many writings.  If you must reference books written by men when studying the Word of God, be very selective in what you read, mostly limiting yourselves to reference works such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.  Stick mainly with the Bible, and you will be following the best guide possible in religious matters.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.