If there has ever been a time when skepticism is at its peak, it is now. We live in a world where we need to verify everything we hear and even what we see. Photos are cropped to appear to be something they are not, and conversations are cut and pieced together to convey totally different messages than their original intent. Unfortunately, it is necessary to check and double-check everything. Religion is no different. There are multiple denominations that base their beliefs and practices on the Bible. Then you have the nondenominational churches which are affiliated with no one. They do believe in the Bible, but the door is wide open to different views about what constitutes sin and about the authority of the church in the life of its members. Many churches have started out right but have strayed from the truth because of personal agendas, which led to false teachers in the church. This was the case in Titus chapter 1. In verses 10-16, he gives clear instructions on who should not be chosen to lead the church.
In Titus 1:10, Paul tells Titus there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers in the church. He names one group of those as those of the “circumcision.” This would be Jews who insisted on the practice of circumcision as foundational to a right relationship with God. Paul describes them as unruly which means they were unwilling to submit to the authority in the church. They were ambitious and headstrong. Sounds like church members of today. Most want to be their own authority. They yield at work because it affects their paycheck. They yield to the law of the land because it affects their freedom. However, the most important aspect of their lives, their spiritual lives, seems to go unchecked and yielded to no one.
In verse 10 we not only see the unruly member but the vain talker. Vain means empty, senseless, or mischievous. These men were more about talk than they were about doing their duty as a follower of Christ. They sought attention and they deceived others with their piety and their fluent speeches. Paul tells Titus in verse 11 that their “mouths must be stopped.” They were influencing whole families and they were doing it for financial gain.
Titus 1:10-11 “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake”
Along with the Jews, there were Cretians’ that were not repentant. Paul says they were always liars, evil beast with slow bellies. The slow bellies refer to being a glutton and lazy. Paul is reminding Titus of those who lived in the area that is probably part of the church. Titus is to be very cautious when choosing those for the ministry. If they are teaching false doctrine, they are to be rebuked sharply.
When a church is choosing a pastor, it is imperative for the leadership to examine the man carefully in all aspects of his life. The wrong pastor can lead some members astray. He can divide the church and destroy its testimony in the community. With the wrong doctrine, people can be led to hell when they think they are on their way to Heaven.
Titus 1:12-16 “One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
Paul’s instructions to Titus are very direct. It is serious business to lead people astray under the guise of the church. Those who do will be held accountable by God when they stand before Him at the judgment. These instructions are just as important for us today as they were to the churches in Crete. We are to make sure we are involved in a church that is based on the word of God. It should be one that offers teaching and preaching that is God’s word, not man’s opinion. The leadership of the church should be living their daily lives according to the Bible. They are to be a doer of the word not just say what is right.
James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
While none of us are perfect, we are to be growing every day in our relationship with God. This comes through the study of His word, praying daily to Him, and being involved with a body of believers in a local church. If your pastor is not teaching and living the whole counsel of God, find one that is and get on board. The only way to grow is to follow God’s commands and we can’t pick and chose which ones to follow. All are important otherwise God would not have included them in the Bible.
Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
II Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
