Protecting the Faith & Flock

Cult followings

If you recognize the name Jim Jones, then you most likely are familiar with the People’s Temple and the Jonestown Massacre that occurred on November 18, 1978. Jim Jones was a charismatic yet paranoid leader of a California-based cult known as the People’s Temple. Without any real theological training and no denominational affiliation, Jones organized a fairly progressive and racially diverse congregation. He held services in San Francisco and Los Angeles beginning in 1970 & 1972, and made friends among high profile politicians and press members of his day. His attraction was his ability to “mind read” and faith healings.

The People’s Temple was known for its humanitarian causes and its attempt to establish a utopian-type society in Guyana, South America in 1977. Approximately 1,000 members of the People’s Temple moved to the Jonestown community where it established itself as a self-contained, self-governing commune where residents provided for themselves food, health services, education and protection. After receiving reports from concerned family members, U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan led a team of reporters to inspect the activities of the Jonestown compound. After arriving and visiting the area in November 1978, Ryan was planning his return trip when several Jonestown members sought to escape the compound with him. However, others from Jonestown attacked the airstrip killing 5 people, including Congressman Ryan and three members of the press.

Shortly after these shootings, Jim Jones enacted a “revolutionary suicide” plan which they previously rehearsed, ordering members to commit suicide. This was accomplished by drinking a fruit drink mixed with cyanide, tranquilizers and sedatives. In the final count, over 900 followers – 200 of which were children – drank the mixture and died. Less than 100 survived and one man, Larry Layton, was convicted of conspiracy and aiding the murder of Jones and Congressman Ryan. The phrase “Don’t drink the Kool-aid!” became a synonymous warning against joining cult-like groups.[1]

Holding firm

God’s church is always under attack from the Enemy. From Eden to present day cults, God’s truth is being twisted and perverted to deceive, mislead and ultimate destroy people’s eternal souls. The cosmic battle that wages between God’s people and Satan’s demonic forces is fierce, relentless and subversive. At times it can feel like a losing battle for God’s people, and the odds appear to be over-whelmingly stacked against His church. Too many shame the name of Jesus Christ and too few seem committed to God’s ordained institution, the church. But it is the church that Jesus Christ promised to build and would prevail against the forces of Hell.

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt.16:18–19)

It is a commitment to God’s church and people that qualified leaders are entrusted with maintaining its holy sanctification. It requires theological intelligence, accurate doctrinal instruction and judicious ability to identify and confront harmful influences. Paul’s charge in Titus 2:10-16 fits between a dual emphasis on the elders’ ability “to give instruction in sound doctrine” (1:9) and “teach what accords with sound doctrine” (2:1). At times it necessary for church leaders to proactively confront false teaching that both disrupts and corrupts the health and unity of the body. “Accordingly, wise leadership and saving discipline is a ‘must’, in order that sanctification may replace contamination.”[2]

Titus was clearly Paul’s “guy” for establishing order and addressing difficult people. Titus (most likely a convert of Paul) had traveled with Barnabas and Paul to Jerusalem (Gal.2:1-3), was sent to deliver Paul’s letter(s) to a dysfunctional Corinthian church (2 Cor. 7:6-14), and entrusted with financial stewardship (2 Cor.8:1-15). He was valued by Paul as a trustworthy gospel minister proving himself faithful through difficult tasks assigned to him. His spiritual giftedness and maturity verified he was the right man for the job in Crete.

Titus wasn’t to do the job alone. His priority was to train, appoint and instruct more godly leaders to bear the weight of responsibility for the churches in Crete. However gifted, talented or capable Titus was, the care and protection of the church always requires a plurality of godly leadership. Titus might have been the tip of the spear bearing the brunt of confrontation, but he was not called to do it alone. God’s wise intention is for every local church to have more than one godly man to shepherd the flock. Just as Moses learned the importance of sharing the burden of leadership with other capable men (Exo.18), so too pastors and elders must shoulder the load of shepherding, preaching and protecting God’s family in every age.

This is most necessary when facing rebellious individuals and false teachings that harmfully influence and turn people away from the truth of the gospel. Holding firm to the trustworthy word means church leaders at times need to recognize, rebuke and reveal false leaders and their teachings. A primary responsibility for elders is the protection of the faith and flock through sound doctrine against false teaching.

I. Recognizing False Leaders [1:10-12]

Titus 1:10 “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. 11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. 12 One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

Their Character

The task facing Titus and the elders was a formidable one. In one sense, it would seem they were outnumbered. Paul identifies “many” who were rebellious, foolish and deceiving church families, and he charges Titus to confront these false leaders. Particularly, he pinpoints the Judaizers as the main instigators in Crete. Judaizers were converted Jews who attempted to impose the Jewish way of life on Gentile Christians. It was a not-so-subtle form of legalism meant to subvert the new Christian freedoms from the Mosaic Law. Paul was very sensitive to their teachings and actively exposed this thinking by contradicting with the grace of Jesus Christ (Acts 15:4-12; Gal.2:14).

The character of these false leaders is more than just ignorant or errant Jewish beliefs. Paul defines them as “insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers.” These are loaded terms describing character and intent. In contrast to godly elders who demonstrate wise parenting through subordinate children (vs.6), trustworthy speech and instruction in truth (vs.9), these false leaders rebel against authority and demand autonomy. “Paul locates the root of heresy in ‘rebellion’ to proper authority.”[3] How does a false teacher start? He starts when he rebels against God’s revealed truth and sets himself up as an autonomous authority.

Who do you know (or are you someone) that is characterized by a lack of submission? Are they (or you) branded as insubordinate, unwilling to come under the authority of others, or outright rebellious to anyone over you? Each generation has its individuals or movements marked by rebellion or resistance. This should not be the case in God’s church or should mark the attitude of God’s people.

Not discounting the rare occasions believers might need to disobey civil authorities out of obedience to God first (Acts 4:19-20), believers are to exemplify humble submission to God’s word and those authorities established by Him.

On top of these attitudes, these leaders were labeled by their cultural associations. Paul further illustrates his description of these dangerous leaders by quoting Crete’s famous poet and prophet, Epimenedes. He lived somewhere between 630-500 b.c. and was known as a poet and reformer. Epimenedes was regarded as one of the “seven wise men” of the ancient world and became famous for a prophecy he made in Athens against the Persians, ten years prior to a Persian War invasion.[4] His legendary status grew as he supposedly slept in a cave for 50 years, emerging long haired and flowing beard with astonishing knowledge of medical and natural history. He composed many poems regarding religious mysteries, along with this infamous statement, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”[5]

Not all characterizations are fair, but they are often enlightening. Labels today might include Baby Boomers, Gen Z, Millennials, SoCal, New Englanders, or “the Valley,” They’re not always flattering but they might offer insights into certain age groups or regions. These cultural associations influence thinking, understanding, and contribute to how people relate to others and God’s truth. Instead of being transformed by the renewing of their minds (Rom.12:2), these false leaders in Crete allowed negative cultural associations to influence their character and conduct toward the church. Beware what influences shape your identity and affect your spiritual conduct!

Their Conduct

The strategy these leaders employed are exposed by Paul as he describes the affect and motive of their methods. It is often easier to identify false leaders when they are loud and in public declaring their intentions. But the enemy is subtle and he knows the way to win “converts” begins in the home. Mimicking the practice of the church, the false leaders’ strategy was perhaps to win over heads of households in an effort to raise up disciples for their gain.

“The aim of breakaway groups is always to win over families, in the hope that they will form the nucleus of a new movement and give it some strength.”[6]The consequence of their influence was the spiritual disruption of families in the church. Their affect was overthrowing and subverting families by bringing confusion, turmoil and leading others astray. Their motive wasn’t for the health of the body, but for their own lustful desires and monetary gain. So often the fruit of a false leader’s intentions reveals itself in the following ways: increasing wealth, sexual perversion, or power and control.

This is why it is imperative that church leaders, husbands and fathers diligently watch for and protect our families against subtle philosophies and thinking that can shipwreck faith. As leaders of the church and in our homes, we must be students of God’s Word, living holy obedient lives, and leading our families in Christ. It’s not always the obvious outside forces to be wary of, but the inside influences that creep into our households leading hearts astray.

II. Rebuking False teachings [1:13-14]

Titus 1:13 “This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.”

Our tone

Paul’s tactic to confronting false leaders is a zero tolerance approach. When it comes to influential teaching that perverts truth and wrecks faith, there is no room for negotiation or peaceful arbitration. Paul’s instruction is to muzzle such empty talkers by stopping their conversations within the flock. Then immediately admonish them by exposing their deception with right doctrine. This abrupt approach may seem harsh, but it is necessary to preserve unity and save the faith of those being led away from truth.

How does this actually sound?“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Tim.2:24-26)

An elder’s tone must be gracious, yet firm; meek, not belligerent; pleading without capitulating; filled and under the Holy Spirit’s control. (Acts 13:9-12)

Our Target

In any church discipline scenario, the goal is always to win the person back to the truth of the gospel. Whether the steps taken are a formal approach (outlined in Matthew 18:15-20), or immediate action is required the aim is always the same – correction toward truth and right faith. “The ultimate goal of discipline should be to recover the one who is in error.”[7]Love is the attitude, redemption is the goal; even if the person seems hopeless lost, our responsibility as godly leaders is to faithfully pursue the right course of action leaving the final outcome to God. “God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Tim.2:26)

III. Revealing False professions [1:15-16]

Titus 1:15 “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

Character Matters

Paul’s final analysis is an assessment of the false leaders professions contrasted with their actions. The inner self will always be revealed by outward deeds. “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (Matt.15:18–20) Those who are “pure” and have been made clean by the saving work of Jesus Christ are acceptable and pleasing to the Lord. By contrast, those who remain impure and without saving faith cannot please nor are they accepted by God. False leaders attempt to make their efforts and deeds the basis for their “purity.”

Similar to the Pharisees and Judiazers, false teachers exchange internal holiness for outward respectability. They allow their consciences to become calloused and learn to live with tainted minds in order to hold onto their sinful desires.

Conduct Counts

The fate of the false leader is sealed by his condemning actions. Their continual profession to know God is continually contradicted by their conduct. Their knowledge of God is based on myths, conspiracies and speculations that remain superficial, never personal. They are not expository in learning sound doctrine, correct theology or how to grow in sanctification. Instead they look for secret mysteries, “connecting dots” of unrelated texts, and claim power they do not possess. Paul would give strong counsel to Timothy when he explained, “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim.3:5–7) In final appraisal, these leaders have failed the test (2 Cor.13:5-7), their works are worthless and they are rejected by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1) The stakes are high when it comes to protecting the truth. In an age that avoids absolute truth, accepts all opinions as valid, and praises those who are rebellious and insubordinate to authority, the church of the living God is to stand as pillar and buttress of truth (2 Tim.3:15). In as much as godly elders are charged with protecting the faith and the flock through sound doctrine, it is the task of all believers to recognize dangerous influences, rebuke false teaching, and reveal true or false faith. The unity and holiness of our church depends upon the power of Christ manifested through our lives both individually and collectively.

[1] https://www.britannica.com/event/Jonestown [2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 359. [3] Thomas, Robert L.; Kostenberger, Andreas J.. 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus (The Expositor's Bible Commentary) (p. 417). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition. [4] Hendriksen and Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, 352–353. [5] Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 4 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 336. [6] Douglas J. W. Milne, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Focus on the Bible Commentary (Scotland; Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 1996), 205. [7] A. Duane Litfin, “Titus,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 763.