Do you remember as a child your mom telling you not to listen to certain people? It was usually a child at school that called you names or said things intentionally to hurt your feelings. You would get upset, and fret over the thought of others thinking bad things about you and moms answer was, don’t listen. It hardly seemed an adequate answer at the time, but it was the correct answer. Was it hard to do? Yes, we have a natural tendency to listen to things that might include us, or that include things in which we are involved. In Titus 3:8, Paul continues to instruct young Titus on how to direct the situations in the church. He tells him to affirm constantly, continually, the things he has been taught and knows are true about God. Paul has taught him well and he is to remember the things that are good and profitable. He then proceeds to teach Titus what not to listen to. In verse 9, the instruction is to avoid them. Don’t listen, just completely avoid them.
He tells Titus to avoid foolish questions. Things that are not spelled out in scripture by principle or direct command should not be argued or discussed as if they were a major issue. If we will use the word as our guide we will have no problem distinguishing what we are supposed to do and what we are to leave alone. To get caught up in genealogies is pointless. There may be value in tracing out some of the ancestries of those in scripture to give us a clear picture of how God works, but sometimes it or other things that are not important to the gospel can become contentions and cause strife. Such conversations are unprofitable and empty. They bring nothing to the table that is beneficial to the cause of Christ.
Titus 3:8-9 “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”
Now, Paul moves from foolish questions and discussions to more serious matters. He talks about “heretics.” You know those who take the truth and twist it to make it sound good so it will be more palatable to you, and by doing so make it a lie. They know just how to place enough scripture pulled out of context, to make you believe what they are saying is correct. They also have the habit of making it sound like they have all the answers that no one else has found. They hold some fundamental error to the gospel. Paul tells Titus to reprimand him the first and second times and then reject this person. In other words, put them out of the church. The word subverted means to turn him out. They may start as a simple minor truth and most who are not acute on scripture think it’s no big deal, but if this person is not rejected, soon they will have a following and split the church.
Titus 3:10-11 “A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinned, being condemned of himself.”
The biblical of turning one out of the church is spoken of by Jesus in Matthew 18. If a person is not living the life of a born-again believer they are to be counted as an unbeliever and not a member of the church. There is a proper way that Jesus spoke of in coming to this decision, but the words of Jesus are clear, you can’t count someone as a brother in Christ if they are contrary to the teaching and preaching of the Bible. If they are living a lifestyle that is against the Bible they must not be counted as a brother in Christ. Yes, you are to continue to love them and try to reach them but they no longer are holding a position as a member of the church. Allowing someone to be a member of your church that is teaching or living against what the Bible teaches is hurting your testimony with the world.
Matthew 18:17 “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.”
We live in a world today where these biblical truths are hardly ever practiced. It is no wonder that the gospel has been dumbed down to make everyone feel good. It is understandable how people can sit under the word and not respond when they have known sin in their lives. When we pick and chose what parts of the Bible we obey or disobey, or interpret in our own way, we have become our own gods. We have changed the truth into a lie and have also led others astray.
A good example of this is in Romans chapter 1. They had known God but were now going their own way and taking others with them. They believed the lie and began to worship themselves more than God. If you want to get a good picture of this read the entire first chapter of Romans.
Romans 1:21-25 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Don’t listen to the lies! The only way to know you are not listening is to know the truth. That doesn’t come from just going to church. You must seek it out yourself as we are commanded to do in II Timothy 2:15.
II Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
