Good Morning Friends,
“For there are many rebellious people, mere
talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be
silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they
ought not to teach -- and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Even one of
their own prophets has said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy
gluttons.’ This testimony 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
commands of those who reject the truth.” (Titus 1:10-14)
Deception was a problem in Paul’s day, even as
it is in ours. When someone speaks with an air of authority and confidence and
a knowledge of enough Bible to be able to use it in what he says, people
follow. Jim Jones, the Hale-Bopp Comet cult, and dozens of other examples are
enough to confirm that to us. People will believe some strange stuff. Whole
families and groups of people are duped and ruined by such teachers.
Paul mentions several characteristics that are
common among false teachers: their lives do not match what they teach (mere
talkers), they are in it for what they can get (for the sake of dishonest
gain), they want to be in charge, not even submissive to God (rebellious), and
they simply reject the truth for their lie.
It’s that final characteristic that provides
the greatest safeguard for us and the greatest challenge. If we know the truth,
we cannot be led astray by lies. Jesus declared, “Your word is truth.” (John
17:17) Several other passages affirm that the message of Jesus is the “word of
truth.” Knowing the truth -- knowing what the Bible teaches -- is the best
safeguard against the false teaching that is so prevalent around us.
The liars and false teachers can be very
persuasive with smooth words, charismatic presence, and grand claims. The truth
will set you free from their lies. Know the truth! Know the Bible!
His, by Grace, Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment