Warnings Against False Teachers – Titus 1:10-16

Guarding Against False Teaching: Wisdom for Today’s Christian

Have you ever heard a Bible verse quoted to justify something that didn’t quite sit right with you? Or encountered a popular Christian saying that sounds good, but isn’t actually Biblical? As your pastor, I want to equip you to discern truth from error in a world full of deception.

The Danger is Real

In Titus 1:10-16, Paul warns about the prevalence of false teachers, saying there are “many” who are “upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach” (Titus 1:11). Friends, this warning is just as relevant for us today. False teaching isn’t just an issue “out there” in other churches – it can creep into our own congregation, our homes, and even our own hearts if we’re not vigilant.

Think about some common phrases you might hear:

• “God wants me to be happy”
• “God helps those who help themselves”
• “We are all God’s children”

While these may contain elements of truth, they’re not fully Biblical. As I often say, “The devil’s so good that he gives you some truth but he gives you some error too, and you swallow the whole thing without even thinking.”

Recognizing False Teachers

So how can we spot false teaching? Paul gives us several characteristics to watch for:

1. Insubordination – unwilling to submit to Biblical authority
2. Empty talk – lots of words with no substance
3. Deception – deliberately leading others astray
4. Turning away from truth – rejecting sound doctrine
5. Defiled minds and consciences
6. Profession without practice – claiming to know God but denying Him by their actions

“Their claim is not reality,” I explained, “because their deeds, their works, is contrary to what they say.”

Protecting Against False Teaching

To guard ourselves and our church family, we must:

1. Expect godly leadership to lead the way. As your pastors, it’s our responsibility to “encourage sound doctrine, practice, admonish and correct error.”
2. Prioritize Biblical teaching and preaching. This is why we place such emphasis on expository preaching and Bible study at our church.
3. Stay alert to dangers from within and without. Just because something is said inside a church building doesn’t automatically make it true.
4. Equip parents to teach their children. Moms and dads, it’s crucial that you “speak truth in the home, in the car, on your way out in the community.”
5. Hold fast to sound doctrine. As Paul instructs in Titus 1:9, we must “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

The Heart of the Matter

Ultimately, guarding against false teaching isn’t about being argumentative or self-righteous. It’s about protecting the precious truth of the gospel. As I reminded our congregation, “Jesus is truth and he wants all people to understand the truth.”

Remember, no matter how far you may have strayed, Jesus is like “the father on the porch looking down the road and longing and waiting for the wayward child to come home.” Our sins may be many, but His mercy is more.

Let’s commit together to be discerning, to love truth, and to graciously stand firm on the solid foundation of God’s Word.

Putting It Into Practice

1. Bring your Bible to church and take notes during sermons.
2. Join a small group to discuss how Scripture applies to your life.
3. When you hear a Christian teaching or saying, ask yourself: “Is this fully Biblical? Where does the Bible teach this?”
4. Pray for wisdom and discernment as you encounter various teachings.
5. If something seems off, don’t be afraid to respectfully ask questions or seek clarification from church leadership.