Fable – A story about legendary persons and exploits recounted and embellished as if true, usually to include supernatural powers, Divine Intervention, or miracles; a falsehood; a lie.
God used this word 5 times in Scripture: never to Israel in their Masoretic Text Old Testament; never to Israel in their Koine Greek Old Testament; 4 times to the Body of Christ in the Gospel of Grace; and once to Israel in their tribulation book of II Peter.
I Timothy 1:4-7 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. [5] Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: [6] From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; [7] Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
Verse 7 is a very good description of what Christianity does. We must rely exclusively on Scripture; not the preacher or anyone else … especially if they were raised in religion. Everything you hear from anyone, must always be verified by Rightly Divided Scripture.
I Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
Old wives’ fables are the teaching of Presumed Public Knowledge instead of Rightly Divided Scripture. It usually come from the pulpit and trusted family members that have been faithful to their religion; it is the teaching of traditions, practices, rituals, church doctrine, the co-mingling of dispensational truth, etc., as opposed to Scripturally sound doctrine.
See also Doctrine, Profane, Vain/Vanity, Vulgar