Titus 1
Scripture: vs 10 – 11, 16
[10] For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. [11] They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.
[16] They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Observation:
Paul sees a big problem in Crete. There are false teachers deceiving the people away from the truth of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. He leaves the authority with Titus to appoint leaders, elders, to lead the church properly.
Application:
Just as they were in Crete, false teachers nowadays know the Word, claim to believe in God as Father, Son, Holy Spirit but they are deceivers with hardened hearts.
This is apparent partly by their lives and actions – living apart from God; how they live and what they do day to day denies him.
Words – how they talk denies him; adding to the Word, denying parts of the Word so suit them or their mission.
These false teachers are detestable to God. I can think of nothing worse.
They are disobedient to God – along with false teachers, I think of unsaved Christians.
They are unfit for doing anything good. Are these the ones to whom the Lord will say on judgement day, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
As we near the end times, we need to be more and more aware of false teachers and false prophets.
Prayer:
Lord thank you for choosing me. Keep me on track, obedient to you, using your will as my guideposts. Help keep my heart and mind filled with your truth and to rebuke those who speak falsely. Amen