LESSONS FOR LEADERS
Commentary on Timothy & Titus
Lesson 9. STANDING AGAINST FALSE TEACHING
“What is truth?” (John 18:38)
(A) SHUN CONTENTION. 1 Tim 6:3-5,
Titus 1:10-11
Christianity is not to be used as a pretext for worldly advancement!
False teaching is recognised by:
1.REVELATION OF BAD CHARACTER IN ITS TEACHERS.1 Tim.6:4
(i) Pride. “Conceited! “
(ii) Purpose & power is lacking. “understands nothing”
(iii) Prejudiced in opinions. “unhealthy interest in controversies”
2.RESULTS IN ITS FOLLOWERS:
(i) Discord. 1 Tim 6:4. “strife”
(ii) Definite loss of truth by those who once had it. V.5.
(iii) Debasing godliness to a means of gain.v.5.
3. RETRAINED BY RIGHT LEADERSHIP.
Titus is to stop them in Crete by:
(a) POINTING THEM OUT PUBLICLY.Titus 1:10
(b) PUTTING THEM TO SILENCE. Tit 1:11
(i) Gk = “bridle their mouths” (ii) Personal example in not taking money. 2 Cor 11:7
(ii) Preventing them doing damage. Titus 1:11
(iii) (iii) Leaders of house churches must watch.
(B) “SCIENTIFIC OPPOSITION” (Modernism)
1 Tim 6:20-21. Attack of intellectual doubter (cf. Darwin?)
1.ACCEPT GOD’S TRUTH as a sacred trust. 1 Tim 6:20
2. AVOID GODLESS CHATTER. V.20
3. ATTACK “SCIENTIFIC OPPOSITION” falsely so-called.
(i) Science has seen impossibility of Darwin mutation theory
(ii) Philosophy no longer accepts “Man is getting better every day”
(iii) Archaeology & History prove reliability of the Bible.
4. ADMITTING ERROR in major parts of doctrine jeopardizes whole.
(C) DEALING WITH CONTROVERSY.
2 Tim 2:14
(1) Forbid wordy strifes.v.14
(2) Seek God’s approval on your ministry.v.15
(3) Follow main lines of Bible teaching.v16.
(4) Flee barren controversies.
Lesson 9
STANDING AGAINST FALSE TEACHING. K Gerner BA
1 Timothy 6:3.3 But if anyone teaches otherwise and does not assent to the sound and wholesome messages of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and the teaching which is in agreement with godliness (piety toward God),
4 He is puffed up with pride and stupefied with conceit, [although he is] woefully ignorant. He has a morbid fondness for controversy and disputes and strife about words, which result in (produce) envy and jealousy, quarrels and dissension, abuse and insults and slander, and base suspicions,
5 And protracted wrangling and wearing discussion and perpetual friction among men who are corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, who imagine that godliness or righteousness is a source of profit [a moneymaking business, a means of livelihood]. From such withdraw.
1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge — 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.
Grace be with you. Amen.NKJV
Titus 1:10For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. NKJV
Any departure from Godly teaching towards SLAVE REVOLT or ACQUISITION OF WEALTH (I Timothy6: l-2O) which we have already considered, leads naturally to a CONSIDERATION OF THE DANGERS OF FALSE TEACHING.
I Tim 6:3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching. (NIV)
WE HAVE SEEN THIS AS USING CHRISTIANITY AS A PRETEXT FOR WORD ADVANCEMENT, “Good living for a good living.”
I Tim 6:5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain (NIV)
mercenary motive: -- A Christian lady in America, who has earnestly and prayerfully laboured to carry the gospel to the Mongolian laundrymen around her, at length succeeded in getting one of them to attend Sunday school and church regularly. The man was attentive and well-behaved, and the lady had great hopes of him. She tried to interest others in his welfare, too, and induced her friends to patronise his laundry. Visiting him at his home a few days ago, she received a warm welcome. John gave her to understand that he enjoyed very much attending the Sunday school, information that was exceedingly gratifying. Anxious, however, to receive more practical demonstration of the influence of the school upon him, she asked him if he did not think it did him good. "Yi, yi!" came the convincing response, "washee fol le whole conglogation." The Chinaman's idea of getting good is not an uncommon one; . unhappily, it is the motive of many a church connection.
GENUINE TEACHING LEADS TO A GODLY LIFE.
FALSE TEACHING IS RECOGNIZED BY :
l. REVELATION OF BAD CHARACTER IN ITS TEACHERS.
I Tim 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions (NIV)
FALSE TEACHING IS ESPECIALLY PRODUCTIVE OF:
(i) PRIDE
I Tim 6:4 “He is CONCEITED” (Gk.- “wrapped up in smoke”)
(ii)PURPOSE AND REAL POWER IS LACKING
I TIM 6:4 “He understands nothing”
He knows nothing of the true meaning of the words being used.
(iii) PREJUDICED IN HIS OPINIONS
I Tim 6:4 “He has an unhealthy interest in controversies”
(Gk. Noseo = to be idle or diseased) His mind is morbidly interested in the subject. His questions are about fanciful interpretations of the Bible, with unfounded deductions, which produce quarrels about words. This teaching tends to get preoccupied with technical points and be FRUITLESS. It leads to people holding very strong opinions by the people concerned, who will not listen to reason.
2.RESULTS IN ITS FOLLOWERS.
False Teaching has MARKED EFFECTS on those that follow it:
(i) DISCORD
1 Tim 6:4 doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (KJV)
1 Tim 6:41 Timothy 6:3-5
4 tetu/fwtai, mhde\n e)pista/meno$, a)lla\ nosw=n peri\ zhth/sei$ kai\ logomaxi/a$, e)c w!n gi/netai fqo/no$ e&ri$, blasfhmi/ai, u(po/noiai ponhrai/, 5 diaparatribai\ diefqarme/nwn a)nqrw/pwn to\n nou=n kai\ a)pesterhme/nwn th=$ a)lhqei/a$, nomizo/ntwn porismo\n ei‚nai th\n eu)se/beian.
(from Novum Testamentum Graece, Nestle-Aland 27 th Edition © 1898 and 1993 by Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, Stuttgart. Used by permission.)(GHB)
Rom 1:29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,
Gal 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;(NIV)
Phil 1:15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.(NIV)
ENVY leads to depriving another of what he has, without gaining the objective that you yourself are envying ! STRIFE is an expression of this envy, while MALICIOUS TALK (Gk”blasphemia”) is a railing of God and man. “SUSPICIONS” seems to include a series of suspicions and wrong attitudes.
(iv) A definite loss of the truth by those who once had it
Pentecostal teachers have used vital truths to build up THEIR OWN ORGANIZATIONS and finances rather than building up the whole Body of Christ. God’s promises of PROSPERITY have been twisted to a channeling of finance to their own organizations. Jesus always GAVE to the poor and Paul preferred working with his own hands to appealing for money. Both had the same motive of SERVICE FOR MANKIND AND THE NEEDY.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."(NIV)
Matt 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.(NIV)
3.RESTRAINED BY RIGHT LEADERSHIP
Titus 1:10For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group.
11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach-- and that for the sake of dishonest gain. (NIV)
Paul suggests these men may be stopped in CRETE by :
(a) POINTING THEM OUT PUBLICLY
Titus 1:10 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. (NIV)
Paul NAMES THE GROUP HE HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT, and shows thme up as rebels (men not subject to rule) mere “talkers” and “deceivers” (plausible speakers) and alongside the GNOSTIC GROUP , names the JEWISH PARTY.
Recognize they are false !
(c) PUTTING THEM TO SILENCE.
Titus 1:11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach-- and that for the sake of dishonest gain. (NIV)
(i) Greek “bridle their mouths” implies use of CONTROL.
Titus 1:11 ou^$ dei€ e)pistomi/zein,(
This could be achieved by using SCRIPTURE:
Rom 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
(NIV)
(ii) PERSONAL EXAMPLE IN NOT TAKING MONEY
Paul gave up his own rights here
2 Cor 11:7-13
7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?
8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you.
9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.
10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine.
11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.
12 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. (NIV)
BINDING THEM IN PRAYER
AS DANIEL DID THE LIONS !
Heb 11:33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, (NIV)
(iii) PREVENTING THEM DOING DAMAGE.
Tit 1:11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach-- and that for the sake of dishonest gain. (NIV
(iv) LEADERS OF HOUSE CHURCHES must in particular watch for these men.
Their subversive teaching AIMS AT BASE GAIN. They must be stopped to prevent FRICTION.
1 Tim 6:5 and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. (NIV)
This discipline was the responsibility of Elders and leaders like Timothy.
(B) “ SCIENTIFIC OPPOSITION” like MODERNISM.
21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. (NIV)
Another false teaching with which Paul, Paul deals, is the attack of the INTELLECTUAL DOUBTER, who is trying to destroy simple reliance on SCRIPTURES AND THE POWER OF GOD.
Paul advises:
1.ACCEPT GOD’S TRUTH AS A SACRED TRUST.
1 Tim 6:20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.
The deposit of Christian truth is a TREASURE to be kept free from ERROR OR COMPROMISE.
2.AVOID GODLESS CHATTER
1 TIM 6:20 . Turn away from godless ….(NIV)
Gk = bebelos = empty sound of a superficial religion.
1 Tim 6:20 @W Timo/qee, e)ktrepo/meno$ ta\$ bebh/lou$
These are theories that do not take God into account, and they are ot be avoided like the plague by those who are saved. They DO NOT START FROM THE PREMIS OF FAITH that God really exists and acts today !
Heb 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (NIV)
3.ATTACK ANY “SCIENTIFIC” OPPOSITION.
1 Tim 6:20… Turn away from … the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, (NIV),
1 Tim 6:20…. th=$ yeudwnu/mou gnw/sew$,(
The Greek here speaks of the kind of knowledge that assumes there is no God and disproves miracles. IT IS NOT REALLY “SCIENTIFIC” TO ASSUME “THERE IS NO GOD” as this has NEVER BEEN PROVED !!
Many eminent Scientists accept His existence and the proofs of Scripture.
IN PARTICULAR BE CAREFUL OF THE “ THEORY OF EVOLUTION” whereby the Earth is “ AUTOMATICALLY PROGRESSING”
This Is NO LONGER WIDELEY ACCEPTED, but has been replaced by a “BIG BANG” theory !
(I) Science itself has seen the impossibility of the Darwin “mutation theory”
whereby animals change from one kind to another, which is the basis of the supposition. (Chromosones are limited in selection and number)
Such changes are NOT HAPPENING TODAY, WHEREAS miracles of healing ARE STILL TAKING PLACE, proving that God is still the CREATOR !
(ii) Philosophy no longer accepts that “man is getting better and better” as two world wars have shaken this optimistic theory
There is no longer credence of human natural goodness or progress to a “super race”. Hitler’s philosophy showed the danger of a State system based on this premis, while morals based on a State system (eg COMMUNISM) have been shown to change with every whim of the PARTY, and ultimately to be discredited !
(iii) Archaeology and History by their findings have tended to prove the RELIABILITY of the Bible
The facts of God’s judgement in the flood are shown by alluvial deposits in the area.
The theory that two men wrote Isaiah (to disprove his making accurate prophecies in advance of their happening ) based on destructive criticism of the text, have had to give way in the face of modern discoveries. (cf DEAD SEA scrolls ahowed whole MS of Isaiah was ONE PIECE !!)
PROPHECY is being accepted as a GENUINE GIFT OF GOD and educated belief is swinging back to a belief in the supernatural. This is epitomized by the reading of the Book of Genesis by the moon-shot astronauts.
4. ADMITTING ERROR IN MAJOR PARTS OF DOCTRINE WILL JEOPARDIZE THE WHOLE OF IT.
1 Tim 6:21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. (NIV)
ANNOUNCING or proclaiming one’s DOUBTS IS NOT THE WAY TO FAITH. Faith must come only from a RELIANCE ON THE WORD OF GOD.
Rom 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (NIV)
It needs the GRACE OF GOD to humbly accept His Truth, putting on the shelf what one cannot understand for the moment, until the Lord sees fit to reveal it. If there is a challenge to a DOCTRINE, of course, the Church must be prepared to LOOK AT IT AND JETTISON ANY BELIEF WHICH IS NOT ESSENTIAL TO DIVINE AUTHORITY, PROVIDED THE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD IS UPHELD.
(Obviously one must be careful of Theological thinking “the earth is flat” that held sway in the Middle Ages against Science, but this is NOT EVEN SCRIPTURAL, as the Bible talks of a round earth
Isa 40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. (NIV)
WE MUST BE OPEN TO NEW LIGHT CONFIRMING THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD, as this is more reliable than CHURCH TRADITIONS..which my have to be jettisoned…!
THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH ERROR IS TO CONTINUALLY REMIND PEOPLE FO THE TRUTH !
2 Tim 2:14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. (NIV)
(c) DEALING WITH CONTROVERSY.
2 Timothy 2:14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.
(NIV)
(1) FORBID WORDY STRIFES.
…….quarreling about words
Remember that we live in GOD’S PRESENCE and such discussion is without PROFIT. (It was a common Greek habit to have such discussions, which over threw God-given faith )
(2) SEEK GOD’S APPROVAL ON YOUR MINISTRY
2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (NIV)
LIVE AND ACT AT GOD’S DISPOSAL. This requires real work.
Watch against any careless behaviour and lethargy of the soul.
Cavilling and disputation
Cavilling and disputation: --
When Endamides heard old Xenocrates disputing so long about wisdom, he inquired very gravely, but archly, "If the old man be yet disputing and inquiring concerning wisdom, what time will he have left to use it?"
Controversy may be sometimes needful; but the love of disputation is a serious evil.
Luther, who contended earnestly for the truth, used to pray, "From a vainglorious doctor, a contentious pastor, and nice questions, the Lord deliver His Church
(from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright © 2002, 2003 Ages Software, Inc. and Biblesoft, Inc.)
Desire for God's approbation
Desire for God's approbation: -- "If you were an ambitious man," said a person one day to a minister of talent and education, who was settled in a retired and obscure parish, "you would not stay in such a place as this." "How do you know that I am not an ambitious man?" said the pastor. "You do not act like one." "I have my plans as well as others -- the results may not appear as soon, perhaps." "Are you engaged in some great work?" "I am; but the work does not relate to literature or science. I am not ambitious, perhaps, in the ordinary sense of the term. I do not desire to occupy the high places of the earth, but I do desire to get near my Master's throne in glory. I care but little for popular applause, but I desire to secure the approbation of God. The salvation of souls is the work He is most interested in, and to the successful prosecution of which He has promised the largest rewards."
(from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright © 2002, 2003 Ages Software, Inc. and Biblesoft, Inc.)
FOLLOW THE MAIN LINES OF BIBLE TEACHING.
2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (NIV)
Be careful of “ DISPENSATIONAL DIVISIONS” WHEN DEALING WITH AN ETERNAL GOD !
(3) FLEE BARREN CONTROVERSIES.
2 Tim 2:16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. (NIV)
Any attenpt to settle these “theories” gives them AN IMPORTANCE THEY DO NOT DESERVE.
Their advocates will go further in their ungodliness as they reveal their REAL CHARACTER, spreading like a sore or gangrene in the Assembly !
KEEP THEM OUT !
2 Tim 2:17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
:18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
Gangrene
Gangrene: -- The substitution of "gangrene" for "cancer" is an improvement, as giving the exact word used in the original, which expresses the meaning more forcibly than "cancer."
Cancer is sometimes very slow in its ravages, and may go on for years without causing serious harm.
Gangrene poisons the whole frame, and quickly becomes fatal. The apostle foresees that doctrines, which really ate out the very heart of Christianity, were likely to become very popular in Ephesus, and would do incalculable mischief. The nature of these doctrines we gather from what follows.
(from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright © 2002, 2003 Ages Software, Inc. and Biblesoft, Inc.)
\2 Timothy\Chapter 2\2:18 - 2 Timothy\Chapter 2\2:18\Error concerning the resurrection
Ver. 18. Saying that the resurrection is past already. --
Error concerning the resurrection: --
The resurrection of the body, always a difficulty in ancient modes of thought, was especially so to those who, with the Essenes amongst the Jews, the Neo-Platonicians, and most of the early sects which afterwards expanded into Gnosticism, had adopted the dualism of the East, and held matter to be evil -- sometimes the Evil Principle or his embodiment. Hence they were ready to avail themselves of the other sense of resurrection, the rising of those who were baptized into Christ to newness of life (Romans 6:35 ; Colossians 2:12); and they denied that any further revelation was to be believed. This error had been early taught in the Corinthian Church (1 Corinthians 15:12).
(from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright © 2002, 2003 Ages Software, Inc. and Biblesoft, Inc.)
“they destroy the faith of some..” MISLEADING MINISTERS
\2 Timothy\Chapter 2\2:18\Unreliable ministers
Unreliable ministers: -- A misplaced buoy caused the wreck of a steamer worth £25,000, the loss of a valuable cargo and peril to many lives recently. The steamer, which was called the City of Portland, left Boston on her voyage to St. Johns, N.B., with seventy passengers on board and considerable freight. The night was clear, and as the steamer passed the Owl's Head just before daybreak, the captain saw a striped buoy indicating the presence of a sunken rock. The course was altered in accordance with the position of the buoy, but in a few minutes the steamer struck a ledge. The pumps were started at once, distress colours set, and the boats cleared. The officers and crew retained their presence of mind, and despatched a boat for help. In a short time a steamer arrived, and took off the terrified passengers, but the steamer and cargo were a total loss. The captain of the ship was in no way blameable. The buoy, which was put there to be a means of safety, was by its displacement the cause of disaster. It had drifted. Similarly some preachers drift from orthodox positions, and their change of position may cause the wreck of the souls of those who flock to hear them.
Ministerial responsibility: -- During a voyage, sailing in a heavy sea near a reef of rocks, a minister on board the vessel made, in a conversation between the man at the helm and the sailors, an inquiry whether they should be able to clear the rocks without making another tack, when the captain gave orders that they should put off to avoid all risk. The minister observed, "I am rejoiced that we have so careful a commander." The captain replied, "It is necessary I should be very careful, because I have souls on board. I think of my responsibility, and remember that, should anything happen through carelessness, souls are very valuable." The minister, turning to some of his congregation who were upon the deck, observed, "The captain has preached me a powerful sermon; I hope I shall never forget, when I am addressing my fellow-creatures on the concerns of eternity, that I have souls on board
MAN HEALED OF CANCER & TALKED OUT OF
IT BY MINISTER AT HOLYWOOD
EXERCISE:
WHO DO THESE VERSES TEACH ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS ?
(a) Matt 5:19 (b) Matt 15:9 (c) Isa 32:6 (d) Matt 23:13,15,23,27-28,33. (e) Mark 12:24
Send answers with self-addressed envelope to
PO Box 1, NEWCASTLE Co.Down.BT33 0EP.Northern Ireland.UK.Europe