Titus 1:9-16  Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10  For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11  Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 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. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Following rules, patterns, doctrine, or laws isn’t pleasing to many people. They want to do whatever they please so they bend the rules in an attempt to prove they are correct. Early in the life of God’s people, Paul warned the church about those who would lead them astray. He told Titus to be wary of the Jews who taught that circumcision was necessary for salvation. Some he said taught for monetary gain and were dangerous.

By the time the letter to Titus was written about A.D. 63, some 30 years after Pentecost when the church began, the false doctrines in the church were well advanced. They began soon after Pentecost and infected every church, some members themselves becoming the teachers of false doctrine. One thing must be said at this point. There are all kinds of beliefs about what the Bible contains and teachings of the gospel message. That has given rise to all kinds of churches teaching all manner of doctrines. Only one of them can be correct.  That is what the apostles were telling the Christians of their day.   

In Acts Paul warns the Ephesus elders: Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. The natural human behavior by some is to convince people to follow after teachings that are contrary to scripture. That is as true today as it was then.  Every false teacher swears that he or she is telling the truth according to scripture but a close examination of the Bible will prove them wrong because of conflicts in the doctrines with other parts of the scriptures.  

Peter wrote: 2 Pet 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.  

In the time of the Old Testament Peter said that there were false prophets and in the same manner there would be false teachers in the church, and that some members would follow them. Peter warns that words of the teachers won’t be sincere and the gospel will be spoken of in an evil manner. That is seen in this day with preachers that aren’t sincere and speak evil of the way of Christ changing the doctrine to suit their false belief. Those who don’t know the scriptures or depend on the preacher to tell them what the scriptures mean are led astray by the false doctrines. It is nearly impossible to teach the truth to those who have listened so long to false doctrine that they think it is the truth. The old adage is true that if a lie is repeated often enough and long enough it will be believed.

The spreading of false doctrines isn’t always the fault of the false teachers; often times it is the members themselves. Paul wrote in his second letter to Timothy: 2 Tim 4:1-2: I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. The first responsibility of a preacher is to teach the truth no matter whether it is popular or not. People don’t like to hear that they aren’t following the word of God. The word of God requires that each hearer examine what they believe and why. It requires them to examine and state their belief in Jesus Christ.

Then Paul told Timothy the following: 2 Tim 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  After a time sound doctrine interferes with their notions and behavior, so they look for someone who will tell them what they want to hear. Experience tells us that the itching ears listeners will either run the preacher off or leave the congregation in order to find one more suitable to their hearing. The apostles faced the hostility of this type believer too as they preached the gospel. Things have not changed very much though 2000 years have gone by.

The whole purpose of Jesus coming to earth was to give salvation to sin sick world. The doctrine of Jesus Christ is not many messages with each one being correct, but one message which is correct. Paul told Timothy: 2 Tim 3:12-17: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Believers will suffer. Some will be deceived. Timothy was to teach the doctrine that would bring salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and the scriptures are the means for finding the truth of salvation. And verse 17 says that scripture furnishes the man of God so he can do good works. These verses apply to all preachers and Christians alike. There are no excuses for being deceived by false teachers.

False teachers have agendas best known to them, but whatever the reasons people have for following the agendas, the truth is that they won’t be saved if the doctrines are followed. Paul and the other apostles warned of them. Everyone should remember the words of Paul who says of the doctrine that saves in Ephesians 4:4-6: There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. There aren't many messages. There is only one message as Luke wrote in Acts 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Original © 10-06-2002 DEC

          Revised © 01-06-2007 DEC