How to Spot False Teaching

Text: Titus 1:10-16

maintaining doctrinal purity in the face of false teaching

requires understanding what you are dealing with and how to respond to it

v 10-16 intermingle the characteristics of false teachers, the destruction they cause, and the response required

Elders must maintain doctrinal purity in the churches. How is this accomplished? It requires understanding false teachers and false teaching.

1. Understanding False Teachers - vs. 10-12

known by traits not titles

3 traits of false teachers:

they do not submit to spiritual authority - vs. 10a

wolves don’t like the care of shepherds

they do not focus on issues of the heart - vs. 10b

wolves don’t like searching the heart

they do not seek the well-being of the flock - vs. 11-12

wolves don’t like sacrificing for others

2. Understanding False Teaching - vs. 13-16

It hinders spiritual growth - vs. 13

it is unhealthy - vs. 13; it does not promote growth in love, truth, or the fruit of the spirit

you need to grow!

you need to be a theologian (plug Sunday nights/ SS)

It goes beyond the text - vs. 14

It goes beyond the text by speculation

It goes beyond the text by adding commands

It Corrupts and Condemns - vs. 15-16

False teaching corrupts and condemns - vs. 15-16

summary exhortations

False teaching must be rebuked

False teaching is not to be dabbled with

Application questions:

What is the connection between rebellion and deception? Does one lead to the other?

When should wise church leadership patiently counsel those whose teaching is errant and when should they see that they are “silenced”?

How can you distinguish between preaching that is expository and preaching that is speculative?

Beyond clean/unclean foods, what are some modern examples of issues where the “commandments of men” turn us from the truth?

What does verse 16 teach us about someone who makes a profession of faith but never demonstrates any change?