Don’t Pretend to Be Something You Are Not

Commentary

Do you realize that many Bible teachers can lead sincere people astray. Paul clearly says these false teachers were eloquent but deceptive. They did a lot of “vain talking” (v. 10) but very little doing (v. 16). They tried to force the new Cretan converts back under “the deeper things” of Jewish law (circumcision v. 10 and dietary laws – 1 Timothy 4:3-5) as a  means of salvation. And they used counterfeit religion to make “filthy lucre” (v. 11) or money made by unclean tactics. Titus job was to stop their mouths (v. 11). The best time to attack false doctrine is at the beginning, before it has a  chance to spread. False doctrine is like yeast: It only takes a little, it grows quickly, and it permeates completely (Galatians 5:9).

      Paul is blunt. These false teachers had to be exposed as frauds. And, their converts had to be rebuked, not gently but sharply (v.13). They were being taught “Jewish  fables” (v. 14) which probably included a fanciful interpretation of the genealogies in the Old Testament.

      Everything is pure for someone whose heart is pure. But nothing is pure for an unbeliever with a dirty mind (v. 15). Paul was refuting what the false teachers taught about dietary laws. They said if you ate certain foods, you defiled yourself, but if you refused that food, you became holier. When these teachers looked at these innocent foods, they saw sin. But those who have pure minds know all foods are clean. It is not the foods that defile someone but the teachers who defile the foods!

      “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (v. 16). They are disgusting. They won’t obey God, and they are too worthless to do anything good. Paul makes it clear to Titus that these false teachers “Profess to know God; but in works they deny him.“ Consequently, Paul says they must be evaluated as being a “reprobate.”

      The sad fact is these same type of people still exist in the church today. Often people are placed into leadership roles in the church because of their places of leadership in the business world.  They can even be pastors and Christian leaders who on Sunday come to church looking very pious and talking “spiritual."  However, in their conduct during the week they look and act just like the unregenerate world. Because of this much damage is done to the cause of Christ.

Application

Because someone sounds good, looks good and even uses his Bible to prove his points does not mean he is sincere. It is so important that I don’t do things for my own personal gain but with the needs of other people being my main motive for what I do.