Titus 1:10-11

Passage

For there are many rebelliously disobedient people, engaging in idol talk and misleading people concerning the truth – especially the ones out of the circumcision point of view.  It is necessary that they are kept from speaking – those who are upsetting the belief of the whole family while teaching that which is not necessary for the sake of disgraceful profit.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

I love Paul’s opening thought in these verses.  There are many rebelliously disobedient people.  Amen.  Of course Paul is talking rebellion and disobedience with respect to God’s ways.  Specifically, Paul is talking about those who are engaging in idol talk and those who mislead people from the truth.  These are two different points.  Idol talk is a time waster.  Misleading people from the truth is bad direction.  However, both have the same goal: blocking people from headed down the right path.  You see, what Paul is most concerned about is that leadership should be all about helping people down the path of drawing closer to God.  Anyone that distracts them from such a pursuit or pushes them in a contrary direction has no right leading.

Have you ever engaged in idol conversation when you were supposed to be being spiritual?  Do you normally feel guilty in such times?  Will you in the future?  Have you ever intentionally led someone into bad behavior?  Why might you do that?

Second Thought:

Paul then makes a really serious claim.  They need to be silenced.  In fact, Paul actually says, “It is necessary that they be kept from speaking.”  Those are harsh but poignant words – not particularly democratic, either.  But this is what Paul is saying.  It is dangerous to give those who will lead people astray any means of gaining the eye of those who need to be led true.  I should add here, though, that there are many means of silencing people.  Don’t assume that Paul is speaking of a violent means.

Do you agree with the point Paul is making?  Should people be silenced because they have a point contrary to the doctrine of God?  Or do people have the right to speak their mind regardless of what they have to say?

Third Thought:

Paul also speaks about people seeking profit.  These are the people who are speaking from the point of view of circumcision being necessary.  Let’s go straight for the jugular here.  For Paul, only one thing is necessary for salvation: Christ’s death upon the cross.  Through that act, God extends grace. We either receive it or deny it.  But we are saved because Jesus died on the cross.  However, because of their desire to make the money that people are willing to pay for “reassurance,” they taught that more was necessary than the free truth that Paul had given and Titus was reaffirming.  Paul is not only irritated that they are teaching falsehood but also that they are making a profit from it!

What angers you more – hearing lies or being ripped off?  Which do you find more offensive?  What do you believe is necessary for salvation?  Do you live that out?

Passage for Tomorrow: Titus 1:12-14