Titus 1:10-16 NIV
“For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.“
Titus 1:10-16 NIV
Wherever gospel seeds of truth are sown, it is never long before the destructive tares of false doctrine are sure to be quickly spawned. Such is the case for Titus while working on the Isle of Crete. Paul is quick to respond with wise advice to his fellow-worker, and offer Christian encouragement to this dearly loved co-labourer in Christ.
Man-made traditions and false spirituality can cause religious teachers to turn from the truth of the glorious gospel of grace. They then dismiss the Word of God in preference for worldly authorities, Jewish mysticism, the commands of men, and monetary gain. By teaching that which ought not to be taught, they should not be given the credibility and acclaim that so many receive today.
Let us search the Scriptures daily to see if the teachings that are permeating Christendom today are founded on the gospel seed of God's Word or the destructive tares of false doctrine. Let us study the Word to show ourselves approved unto God, knowing that now, as then, there are many rebellious men, empty talkers, and deceivers.
Although the numbers have dropped over the years, there are many people who claim to know God. Some will attend some type of church, while others will never set foot in a church, yet still claim to know God. Very few people who attend a church will state that they do not know God. Many of them will claim to know God, at least to some degree or more. Yet, when a person looks at their actions, one would not know that they know who God truly is.
There are many people who go to church, claiming to know and love God, yet they hate a relative and refuse to speak to that person. Others will curse a family member and condemn them to hell. When it comes to how they treat non-family members, it can even get worse.
Then some of these same people will cheat and lie in the workplace. They refuse to work hard for their paycheck. They break the laws of the nation all the time with no regard to the laws. Many of these people will just say that is just who they are. Others will claim the grace of God in their lives. Yet, their actions are denying God. They are not attempting to really live for God.
Every believer is to show changes in his life. There should be an attempt to living for God more and more all the time, and becoming more like Jesus everyday.
If a believer is not showing any changes or fruit in his life, then is he really believing in God? Does he really know God? Do his actions speak louder than his words? Does he claim to know God, and his actions say the same or just the opposite?
We need to strive to line up our actions with our words. It’s time to allow God’s love to fill us so much that we want to do what He wants us to.
Paul knew that the best way to identify and deal with false teachings and heretical doctrines is to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Word of God day by day. Let me give you a piece wisdom, if your led into trouble, it’s no one’s fault but yours because you knew trouble was there!!!
Father, thank You for giving us an example of discernment to recognize false teachings and ungodly doctrines that have distorted the Word of God and twisted the truth of the glorious gospel of grace. Lord, pour out Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. We pray for our local churches and for the elders that oversee the flocks of God. Lord, use us to be a living epistle of Your Word today.
Father, we love You. Amen !
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