We have a need for godly leadership within the church. Leadership that is above reproach.
Even when Paul wrote his letter to Titus concerning the churches around Crete, we see his concern for proper teaching. There were many false teachers at the time and Paul warned Titus of this and that it was important to make people aware.
Could you recognize a false teacher? They are still here in our modern day as much as in Paul’s day.
To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
Titus 1:15
The corrupt are out for their own gain and may try to convince others they are pure. But selfish choices and being disobedient for so long, they don’e know how to live any other way.
Leaders of any kind can fall into Satan’s trap, especially biblical leaders. To preserve a high standard within the church, it may become important to strongly rebuke those whom they lead to repent and redirect their steps.
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 1:13-14
Anyone can easily fall into this trap without even realizing it. It doesn’t mean they are a lost cause, but a sharp rebuke may be needed to make them see the error of their line of thinking.
Sheep don’t tell the shepherd where they’re going. The shepherds know their sheep and lead them where they should go.
A rebuke shouldn’t break the spirit, but should lead to repentence. After being reuked, the offender may keep it up, requiring a muzzle, a stronger rebuke.
Why would someone engage in false teaching? Possibly to profit off of bad teaching or to fain power. Sometimes it’s caused by people in the pews who want to further themselves.
How do we identifyl false teachers?
- Rebellious
- Deceivers
- Defilers
- Behavior contradicts the gospel.
Liars make light of the gospel, reject or undermine authority.
The goal of the reuke is not to destroy the person, but to turn them back onto the right path. They must be convinced of their false teaching.
We must speak up angainst false teachers.
Rebuke is a means to the end.
Learn scripture to help you be able to spot false teachers. Knowing God’s Word is your biggest deterrent of falling into the trap of falling for the lies.
I hope this post about Paul’s letter to Titus has helped to open your eyes. Thanks for reading. This post is based on my pastor’s sermon. This series on leadership has helped us to understand why it’s so important to be cautious in raising leaders up within the church.
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 