Some Lessons about False Teachers

I happen to be working my way through the epistle to Titus for Sunday School, so here are some lessons that I have gleaned from chapter one, verses ten through sixteen.

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

1.  False teachers can exhibit an unsubjected spirit toward authority.

Beware of religious people who have a distaste for God-ordained authority.  Peter tells us that these people "despise government," and that they are not afraid to rail against authority. (II P. 2:10)

2.  They can be religious people who speak vanity and lies.

Did you ever have a "religious" conversation with someone and walked away wondering "what was the point?"  If so, then you may be able to recognize the useless and deceptive talk of a false teacher and his disciples.

Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

3.  They overturn households with their false doctrine.

Subvert means to flip something over.  The same Greek word is used when Jesus "overturned" the tables of the money changers.

If you let a false teacher go, he or she will destroy households and lead people astray.  Notice how they prey upon the weak and emotional?  Reference II Timothy 3:6 where Paul points out "silly women" as a favorite target for false teachers.

One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

4.  Not even their own friends can stomach them.

Evil character and bad behavior aren't appreciated by anyone, not even the world's own.  

Beware of a professing Christian whose reputation isn't known for being good.  Sometimes these deceivers pretend that they are "persecuted" by others for being godly; however, even a casual examination of the facts will likely reveal otherwise.

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.

5.  Don't be afraid to label them for who and what they are.

Paul says simply, "This witness is true."  You don't need to be mean and vindictive, but don't downplay the severity of a false teacher's sins either.

6.  Some false teachers and their disciples can be rescued from their errors. 

If the group with whom Paul was dealing was beyond hope, Paul wouldn't have insisted on a sharp rebuke with the intention of converting them from the error of their ways.

I am humbled and encouraged by the fact that God wants to restore people, all people.  Sometimes, we can be downright mean.  Sometimes we confront people not to restore them but to get back at them.  God doesn't do this.  Even in His harshest rebukes, God's interest is in the recipient's welfare.  Don't believe me?  Study God's dealings with Israel in the prophets of the Old Testament.

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.

7.  They find fault in innocent things while neglecting the wickedness of their own hearts.

It's possible that these particular false teachers were trying to mingle dietary ritualism with salvation and Christian living.  We know that was the case in I Timothy 4:1-5 where Paul warned of ungodly men who were "commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."  They were also saying that marriage was evil.  Fools.  

A false teacher loves to pick on people for things that simply aren't evil, but somehow, they artfully overlook the degradation of their own character.

For the genuine false teacher and false professor, his or her heart hasn't been purified by faith (Acts 15:9); therefore, this individual can't honor God with good works because any work that he does is outside of Christ.  Also, this person's mind is often so twisted, that he can't even understand what a good work is.

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

8.  They insist that they follow God, but their actions say otherwise.

Don't believe what someone tells you.  Believe what their life shows you.  Now, we don't need to be skeptical and suspicious grumps, but we need not be naive either.  Keep your eyes and ears open.