In the first chapter of Titus, Paul instructs Titus on godly living, selecting godly elders and warning others of false and misleading teachers. The bible tells us many false teachers have gone out into the world and in the last days, there will be many more. In 2 Timothy 4, we are told that a time is coming (and is it here now?) when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
( To find Titus: Matthew, Mark , Luke, John, Acts, Corinthians, GEPC (General Electric Power Company – my way of finding Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians ) then the books beginning with the letter “T” follow in alphabetical order…)
Interesting side note from Paul in Titus 1: God promised us eternal life/salvation before the world began- that’s amazing to think about.
- Description of the Elder’s/Bishop’s /Church leader Titus was to appoint over the cities:
- blameless
- not heavy drinkers or not given to wine
- husband of one wife, faithful to his wife (1 Tim 3)
- not quick to anger
- not self willed
- faithful
- all children must be believers and not rebellious or wild (also in 1 Tim 3: For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?)
- not be arrogant
- not be violent
- not be dishonest with money
- must enjoy having people in his home, love hospitality (also in 1 Tim 3)
- love what is good, wise, just and holy
- must be devout, disciplines
- must be strong in His beliefs in God’s Word, hold fast to what he has been taught
- must encourage others with wholesome teaching
- be able to show those who oppose where they are wrong
- warn the unruly 1 Thes 5:14
- comfort the feeble minded 1 Thes 5:14
- support the weak 1 Thes 5:14
- be patient with all men 1 Thes 5:14
- see that no one renders evil to another 1 Thes 5:14
- a life above reproach 1 Tim 3
- exercise self control, live wisely, have a good reputation 1 Tim 3
- must be able to teach 1 Tim 3
- must not be a new believer 1 Tim 3
- people must speak well of him, well respected 1 Tim 3
- they must be committed to the mystery of the faith 1 Tim 3
- Their wives must be respected and must not slander 1 Tim 3
- their wives must exercise self control and be faithful 1 Tim 3
- they present themselves to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15
- In Comparison, Paul warns of deceiving teachers: Be Careful! Withdraw yourself from such- False Teachers
- Preach Salvation with twisted words- teach things they shouldn’t be teaching
- They turn families from the truth, cause people to err (also Jer 23:13)
- full of false teaching
- They do it for $$money $$
- greedy
- lazy and gluttons
- they have turned from the truth
- They proclaim they know God, but their lives deny it by the way they live
- disobedient
- in their works, they deny God
- obsessed with arguments 1 tim 6
- don’t teach the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine that accords with godliness 1 tim 6
- proud 1 tim 6
- know nothing 1 tim 6
- secretly bring in destructive heresies 2 Peter 2
- many follow their destructive ways – (but the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment 2 Peter 2)
- they exploit with deceptive words by their covetousness and greed 2 Peter 2
- they speak evil of things they do not understand 2 Peter 2
- they feast with you with eyes full of adultery and cannot cease from sin 2 Peter 2
- entice unstable souls along the path of destruction 2 Peter 2
- they have forsaken the right way and gone astray 2 Peter 2
- they follow the way of Balaam who loved the money, fame, popularity of unrighteousness 2 Peter 2
- they are wells without water, reserved for the blackness of darkness forever 2 Peter 2
- Cause people to stray Micah 3
- they chant ” Peace!” Micah 3 , Jer 23:11-
- “haters of the Lord. pretend submission to Him” ps 81:15
- they work in the Lord’s house and are profane and wicked Jer 23:11-
- they speak visions from their own heart, not the mouth of God Jer 23
- To all who “walk according to their own ways, dictates of their own heart, they proclaim, “No evil shall come upon you” Jer 23
- They proclaim they have dreamed a dream but it is a lie
- try to get people to forget His Name by their dreams Jer 23
- They steal words from others Jer 23
- They can do signs and miracles Revelation
- “They transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” 2 cor 11
- transform themselves into ministers of righteousness 2 Cor 11
- They comfort in vain and speak delusions Zechariah 10
- the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood Jer 8:8 – be careful with what you read, weigh it with God’s Word
- come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matt 7:15
Paul instructs Titus to STOP THESE FALSE TEACHERS and BRING THE PEOPLE BACK ( I just read that same thing in Haggai this morning, that He calls the people to return to Him) Make them strong in the faith, stop listening to Jewish myths, religious myths and commands of men. We must stop and check ourselves and our beliefs- traditions? commands? Are they myths and commands of men deep rooted in our teachings/beliefs or are they the Truth of God’s word?
Looking at #8 above – ” They proclaim to know God, but their lives deny it by the way they live”, ask yourself does my life proclaim not only that I know God, but that my life honors Him. Do my words, my works, my actions, my thoughts, music i listen to, shows I watch, entertainment – Am I an example of a godly life that honors God?
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the Lord,“And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Jer 23:28-29
https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-false-teachers/
What brought me to this study today? I decided to read and study Haggai and Titus this morning. There was so much to learn and meditate on . I believe it’s almost everywhere, it saddens me. Sometimes it’s so obvious and other times it’s hidden, it creeps in slowly.
I have a lot more verses to share and interesting facts about Balaam, maybe I’ll have time to post later.
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Mt 24:24
Ancient Paths 