It Starts Small

 ⁹ holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it. ¹⁰ For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party. ¹¹ It is necessary to silence them; they are ruining entire households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. ¹² One of their very own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” ¹³ This testimony is true. For this reason, rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith ¹⁴ and may not pay attention to Jewish myths and the commands of people who reject the truth.

Titus 1:9-14

holding to the faithful message

One foundational key of a qualified elder is that he must hold fiercely to the Word of God. He must stand unwaveringly on it without compromise. It is the ultimate standard for the church and believers to live by. Many churches have staggered and ultimately crumbled because their leaders ceased to cling tightly to the Scriptures. They let worldly teachings and arguments infiltrate their minds and win the internal battle. Countless souls have been ensnared by Darwinism. They attempt to blend in with the world by distorting the literal creation. They also force the Bible into the cracks of evolution theory. Yet, many more have strayed. They abandoned the Biblical truth about the design of the family. They bought into the world’s deceitful notion that one can fabricate their own reality. Others wander off course. Their leaders cling to alternative dogmas like politics or fragmented religions. They fail to anchor themselves in the Word.

The most crucial question you must confront when contemplating the decision to join a church is, “Is it unwaveringly Bible-believing?” If the leaders waver from the sacred truth of God’s Word, don’t hesitate. Run for your spiritual life, my friend!

be able both to encourage with sound teaching

An elder does not need to be a naturally gifted speaker. However, it is powerful when some within a team of elders possess the remarkable gift of teaching! While it’s not a requirement for every elder, imagine the depth and clarity that such individuals bring. Even if someone holds the gift of teaching, they may not excel in every other area. But here’s the essence: elders must be “able to give instruction.” They should have a profound ability to open the Bible, illuminating its truths with clarity and logic. This equips them to tackle questions boldly and counteract false teachings effectively. Elders must immerse themselves as devoted students of the Word. They should be committed to “accurately dividing the Word of Truth.” They should do this with passion and conviction.

to refute those who contradict it.

An elder must accurately handle the Word of Truth. He must hold on to sound doctrine and use this to exhort the members of his church to godly living. At the same time, the elder must refute those who contradict the Scriptures. There will be false teachers. Some people base their opinions on what is popular. Others base their views on what is culturally correct, what is expedient, or what makes them feel good. An elder must not give in to these people. He must stand firmly on the Word of God. He must not waver and should use it to rebuke those who want to cause trouble.

⁸ Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. ²⁹ I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ Men will rise up even from your own number and distort the truth to lure the disciples into following them. ³¹ Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.³² “And now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all who are sanctified.

Acts 20:28-32

Unfortunately, wherever God is moving mightily, Satan is fiercely scheming to obstruct His divine plans. In the face of such spiritual warfare, churches often encounter fierce opposition from troublemakers. Deceitful teachers are determined to distort and undermine the truth.

Where do wolves go? They go where the sheep are.

An elder is called to passionately embody gentleness toward the weak while exhibiting unwavering courage against the malicious. The challenge arises when leaders tend to lean too far in one direction. Some are relentless in their rebukes and corrections, while others shy away from confronting issues altogether. Striking the right balance between knowing when to raise their voice and when to remain silent is no easy feat. Yet, an elder cannot afford to be passive. Overseeing the flock is not just a duty; it is a profound calling. As a vigilant shepherd, an elder must not sit idly by while false teachers infiltrate and lead the vulnerable astray. He carries a significant responsibility. He must boldly speak out and unmask any subtle lies or deceptive ideologies that threaten to invade the church.

many rebellious people

¹⁰ For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from the circumcision party.

Titus 1:10

The church is not just a picturesque scene of stained glass and serenity. It is a vibrant tapestry. This tapestry is woven from all walks of life. Within its embrace, we sometimes find the very enemies of Christ, slinking in to sow discord and chaos. Paul earnestly warned Titus to brace himself for rebellious souls lurking among the congregation. Not everyone would heed his guidance or honor his calling. Instead, here would dwell “empty talkers and deceivers,” those who would lead the unsuspecting astray with their insidious false teachings. These charlatans may sound clever and articulate. They are masters of the art of oratory. Be assured, they are nothing but deceivers. They seek to lead the flock into darkness.

Here are a few possible methods they use:

• They appear to embody the essence of Christians; they dress with the guise of faith.
• They speak with the language of believers, frequently wielding a Bible—sometimes with a faithful translation, other times lacking devotion. They quote Scripture confidently, yet they fail to grasp the depths of sound hermeneutics. They rip verses from their sacred context, twisting meanings to fulfill their self-serving agendas.
• They don a mask of godliness, all the while lulling the unsuspecting flock into a perilous false sense of security.
• They skillfully exploit the vulnerable. They spread their deceitful teachings to the naive and easily swayed. They target new believers and those who are desperate for solace. This includes the sick and the poor, who seek genuine help.

How can you protect yourselves from these false teachers?

You may have never witnessed a heretic boldly ascend the pulpit and declare, “I am a false teacher. I am an instrument of Satan. I am a ravenous wolf here to devour you. Today, I aim to ensnare you in deception.” Such a blatant admission would surely collapse. Instead, they creep in under the guise of sincerity. Their arguments may resonate with a spiritual veneer, yet, beneath that facade, they are hollow and void of truth.

2 There were indeed false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves.

2 Peter 2:1
(bold for emphasis)

They are grandiose in their promises, their words flowing like a river of gold. Yet, when the moment of truth arrives, what they deliver is nothing more than vapor—a fleeting illusion. As Peter passionately declares, it is but a mirage, shimmering just beyond reach.

¹⁷ These people are springs without water, mists driven by a storm. The gloom of darkness has been reserved for them.

2 Peter 2:17

Paul passionately warned the churches about the dangerous circumcision party. These individuals spread a distorted gospel. They insisted that faith alone was insufficient. They claimed that one must undergo circumcision to attain salvation. Yet it was not merely circumcision that they demanded. Their followers were burdened with the obligation to adhere to the Old Testament law. Such misguided teachings misrepresented the profound grace of God. They also betrayed the very essence of salvation itself.

It is necessary to silence them

Paul pulls no punches! He doesn’t mincingly say, “reason with them” or “try to negotiate with them.” No, he boldly declares that they must be silenced! The safety of the flock hangs in the balance. That weighty responsibility rests squarely on the shepherd’s shoulders. Imagine a wolf lurking among a flock of innocent sheep. A true shepherd wouldn’t gently approach the formidable beast. He would not ask, “How was your week? Why do you have a taste for sheep? Can I tempt you with something vegetarian instead?” Confronting false teachings is not easy. It’s an unpleasant and gritty challenge. It often takes much time and is mentally exhausting. Yet, how many people seek to avoid conflict at all costs? It is an uncomfortable truth, but it is undeniably essential. As Paul emphatically said, “they must be silenced!”

Why does Paul advocate such a strong course of action?

The reason is that they “are upsetting whole families.” People were being led astray. Their spiritual well-being would be damaged, which might lead to irreparable harm that could even affect their eternal destination.

In order to get money dishonestly. 

There are many marks of false teachers. Peter writes extensively about their lifestyle in 2 Peter 2:10-22.

¹⁰ especially those who follow the polluting desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold, arrogant people! They are not afraid to slander the glorious ones; ¹¹ however, angels, who are greater in might and power, do not bring a slanderous charge against them before the Lord. ¹² But these people, like irrational animals—creatures of instinct born to be caught and destroyed—slander what they do not understand, and in their destruction they too will be destroyed. ¹³ They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are spots and blemishes, delighting in their deceptions while they feast with you. ¹⁴ They have eyes full of adultery that never stop looking for sin. They seduce unstable people and have hearts trained in greed. Children under a curse! ¹⁵ They have gone astray by abandoning the straight path and have followed the path of Balaam, the son of Bosor,^[c] who loved the wages of wickedness ¹⁶ but received a rebuke for his lawlessness: A speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.¹⁷ These people are springs without water, mists driven by a storm. The gloom of darkness has been reserved for them. ¹⁸ For by uttering boastful, empty words, they seduce, with fleshly desires and debauchery, people who have barely escaped from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them. ²⁰ For if, having escaped the world’s impurity through the knowledge of the Lord^[e] and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first. ²¹ For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them. ²² It has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to its own vomit, and, “A washed sow returns to wallowing in the mud.”

2 Peter 2:10-22

One of the marks of a false teacher is greed.

¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:10

Some false teachers amass staggering fortunes for themselves, indulging in lives of opulence and extravagance. Brothers and sisters, this is utterly wrong! God does bless us with beautiful gifts. As it is written in James 1:17, “every perfect gift is from above.” Paul reminds us that those who serve in God’s name can earn their bread through their work. Yet, this is vastly different from the greed of becoming wealthy. Basking in excessive luxury is funded by the very contributions of the people they are meant to uplift and guide.

Greed is a relentless force that has plagued humanity since time immemorial. As Solomon wisely pointed out, there is indeed nothing new under the sun. The insatiable thirst for personal gain has fueled false teachers even in the days of Paul. These charlatans are cunning. They are scheming to exploit the sacred gospel for their own riches and glory. This demonstrates that the battle against greed is as old as time itself.

What attitude should we have?

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:6

The true joy of sharing the gospel and teaching others the Bible is not found in monetary rewards. Instead, it lies in the incredible privilege and blessing of serving Jesus Christ! When you find yourself in a new place, pause and observe. Do not rush into the first church that catches your eye. Instead, take a moment to truly observe the lifestyle of the church leaders. If their way of living is extravagantly above that of those around them, tread carefully! Seek out a church where the Bible is taught with sincerity and integrity. Be vigilant and discerning about the lifestyle of the pastors, for it reflects the heart of the church!

Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons

Titus served on Crete, a land where the Cretans bore an infamous reputation. One of their own famously proclaimed they were “always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Astonishingly, Paul himself echoed this sentiment! At first glance, one might believe Paul was unreasonably harsh with them. Yet, we must remember that Paul identified himself as the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). He understood the raw, unvarnished truth: every human being, from the moment of birth, is endowed with a sinful nature. Cultures may showcase their sins in various forms, woven intricately into the fabric of their society. The Cretans were no exception; they, too, were entangled in this deadly reality.

There was no need to sugarcoat the truth; this was the harsh reality of the place where Titus served. Yet, amidst this darkness, Paul and his team ministered courageously. They shone the light of the gospel. It breathed hope into their weary souls. They were not beyond salvation or forgiveness. Jesus, in His boundless love, embraced the outcasts and sinners of society without hesitation. He showered them with affection but never made excuses for their wrongdoing. Instead, He passionately urged them to repent and embrace forgiveness. In this spirit, Paul followed suit. Acknowledging their sins with compassion, he refused to abandon them. They desperately needed correction. Only then could they turn back to God and receive His incredible grace.

rebuke them sharply, so that they may be sound in the faith 

What was the true aim of rebuking these individuals? It was that they would ultimately grow sound in their faith! Paul longed for them to repent and embrace the path of devoted discipleship to the Lord. This is the ever-important purpose of rebuke—it doesn’t end with mere admonishment! We rebuke to guide and then uplift. A parent should never discipline their child and leave them adrift in a murky space of uncertainty about their standing. No! The essence of discipline is always to pave the way for restoration!

In the Old Testament, God disciplined the nation of Israel. His actions were fueled by a fervent desire to restore them to a genuine relationship with Him. When a wolf lurks among the flock, our urgent calling is to protect the innocent. Our heart’s longing should also be that the wolf is transformed into a beloved sheep one day. If you find yourself needing to rebuke someone, let your unwavering goal be their profound growth. Aim for their restoration. Embrace them with compassion and hope!

If an elder solely focuses on rebuking individuals, the essence of the church will wither. Without uplifting encouragement, it will fade. Conversely, if a pastor indulges in mere flattery, the church will experience an explosive surge in numbers. However, we must ask ourselves, at what cost? A truly effective leader must master the delicate art of balancing constructive criticism with heartfelt praise. This principle resonates far beyond church leadership. It also applies to parents, teachers, and anyone who bears the responsibility of guiding others.

may not pay attention to Jewish myths

This most likely refers to the fervent teachings of the Judaizers. This sect believed one must embrace Judaism to attain salvation. They insisted on circumcision and adherence to the Old Testament laws as prerequisites. Paul passionately condemns these doctrines, labeling them as nothing more than “myths.”

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Cross-References

• Galatians 6:1
• James 5:19-20
• 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
• 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Discussion Questions

• What does the phrase “that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine” mean?
• Why must an elder be able to rebuke?
• In what kind of situations should an elder rebuke someone?
• Is this only the job of an elder or of all believers?
• What verbs are used in verse 9?
• What kind of people does an elder need to deal with (10)?
• What is the “circumcision party”?
• Why must these people be “silenced”?
• What should motivate an elder to either speak up or not (11)?
• What do verses 12-13 teach us about man’s sinful nature? Were Cretans just especially sinful?
• What is the goal of the rebuke according to verse 13?
• What are these Jewish myths?
• When a normal church member sees false teaching or someone in sin, what is their responsibility?

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