In days of confusion, when every voice has its opinions masquerading as truth, we need to be clear about just what truth is. First of all, we MUST be clear that there is such a thing as TRUTH. The question is not how you understand truth, what is your truth, how you understand who God is or any other ideology that has been allowed to creep into our collective thinking. There are really only 2 questions in this area, first, "What is true?" and second "Who does God say He is?" We, the church, have the answers to those fundamental questions. The answer to the first is that the Bible is the full revelation of Truth. The second is truly the more important, and easy to answer. God is exactly who He says He is in His Holy Word, the Bible. From this foundation we understand our own accountability in regards to these verses. Paul gave the church at Ephesus through Timothy it's pastor, clear instruction. The church is the pillar and the ground of the truth. We are the bastion which defends the truth in the midst of this day. And we get the truth that we defend from the Word of God which shapes our thinking and guards our hearts. The rule is simple, if it's scripture, we obey. Period. This position will not be popular, it will likely raise conflict, and will almost certainly cause others to look down upon you. But beloved, understand that God's Word is the very truth of God, and as such is the only standard to which you are unquestionably and ultimately accountable. Stand Fast!