Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
10 “For there are many who rebel against right teaching; they engage in useless talk and deceive people. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. 11 They must be silenced. By their wrong teaching, they have already turned families away from the truth. Such teachers only want your money. 12 One of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, ‘The people of Crete are all liars; they are cruel animals and lazy gluttons’. 13 This is true. So rebuke them as sternly as necessary to make them strong in the faith. 14 They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned their backs on the truth.” ~ Titus 1:10-14
“Those who insist on circumcision for salvation” were the Judaizers, Jews who taught that the Gentiles had to obey all the Jewish laws before they could become Christians. This regulation confused new Christians and caused problems in many churches where Paul had preached the Good News. Paul wrote letters to several churches to help them understand that Gentile believers did not have to become Jews first in order to be Christians; GOD accepts anyone who comes to HIM in faith. – 16 “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of GOD at work, saving everyone who believes – Jews first and also Gentiles. 17 This Good News tells us how GOD makes us right in HIS sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’” – Romans 1:16-17 – Although the Jerusalem council had dealt with this issue, devout Jews who refused to believe in Jesus still tried to cause problems in the Christian churches. Church leaders must be alert and take action on anything that divides Christians.
Paul warned Titus to be on the lookout for people who teach wrong doctrines and lead others in error. Some false teachers are simply confused: They speak their misguided opinions without checking them against the Bible. Others have evil motives: They pretend to be Christians only because they can get more money, additional business, or a feeling of power from being a leader in the church. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly warned against false teachers. – “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even GOD’s chosen ones.” – Mark 13:22 – 29 “I know full well that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some of you will distort the truth in order to draw a following.” – Acts 20:29-30 – These “teachings” attacked the foundations of truth and integrity upon which the Christian faith is built. We can recognize false teachers because they will: (1) Focus more attention on themselves than on Christ; (2) Ask you to do something that will compromise or dilute your faith; (3) De-emphasize the divine nature of Christ or the inspiration of the Bible; and/or (4) Urge believers to make decisions based more on human judgment rather than on prayer and Biblical guidelines.
A person’s life-style and relationships provide a window into his or her character. Consider these qualifications as you evaluate a person for a position of leadership in your church. It is important to have leaders who can effectively preach GOD’s Word, but it is even more important to have those who can live out GOD’s Word and be examples for others to follow.
Father, we are not ashamed the Good News about Christ. It is YOUR power Father GOD at work, saving all who believe. We know that this Good News tells us how YOU make us right in YOUR sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. The Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life’, but false teachers will distort the truth and confuse us just to make money or draw a following. Give us discernment LORD, to hear with our spiritual ears the lies of the false prophet and proclaim the true gospel of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Photo: Elk Wild Life Refuge (Oregon)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
