The idea that God's church evolves into ever-deeper understanding, with doctrine changing as each generation receives new insight, is a Satanic deception used to water down and replace God's true doctrine. Christ placed His doctrine in the church over many years of learning and growth, and later generations were handed the truth in a nearly finished package. The inspired authors of Scripture understood the doctrine they wrote better than any later reader does, so today's Christians are not superior to Paul, Peter, or John. The truth was always present in the Bible, and each Christian grasped it in proportion to how intently he loved and sought it. Growing in grace and knowledge therefore does not mean gaining new or changed doctrine. It means placing the truth of Scripture in mind and heart, so that what is already known becomes more firmly understood and practiced. Nowhere does the Bible teach that the church should grow in doctrine or that new doctrine will be needed for changing circumstances. Scripture commands obedience to the doctrine delivered (Romans 6:17; Jude 3), continuing in it (I Timothy 4:16; II Timothy 1:13-14; 3:14-16), and avoiding any teaching contrary to it (Romans 16:17; I Timothy 1:3). No one could abide in the doctrine (II John 9-11) if God altered it from time to time. Because God does not change (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8), neither do His teachings, which are the way He lives and wants His people to live.