Praising the teacher instead of the Teacher

Scripture Read: Titus 1:10-16 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Application: This scripture is so pertinent for today. The Body of Christ has entered the “super-star” era. Today the teacher is exalted instead of the Teacher! What do I mean? Two issues need to be dealt with here. First …

When it comes to teachers that remain committed to the Word we have a tendancy to raise them up – as if the material they are teaching came from them! It is easy to be a “powerful” teacher when you are using material that comes from the mind of God! Second, we have so elevated the method of teaching that we treat men and women that depart from the Truth, and even pervert it as great teachers. Never mind they completely departed from the Word of God – they said it so – dynamically, humorously, uniquely – you fill in the blank. Due to these two issues we now praise man instead of the Holy Spirit of God. He is the real Teacher, we are merely the teachers that teach what He has taught us. – I find it interesting to consider first the descriptions of these kinds of teachers

Rebellious - ἀνυπότακτος anupótaktos - independent, not subject, rebellious, undisciplined, spoiled

Independence from authority always leads to problems – I also see how the concept of lack of discipline plays into this issue. When we refuse to discipline the old man – he will quickly attempt to take control – a spoiled child never likes authority because that authority may place boundaries that the child does not like – in a sense these teachers are spoiled – they want to remake God in their own image

Empty Talker ματαιολόγος mataiológos; from mátaios vain, and légō to speak - a vain talker, one idly speaking trivialities,  breath of wind, nothingness,

Talk that accomplishes nothing – I like the concept of “breath of wind” - these teachers are full of hot air – they love to hear themselves talk. They will discuss in depth - nothing

Deceivers - φρεναπάτης phrenapátēs - to deceive the mind. A deceiver, impostor, one who diverts others from the right way; seducer, ^[1]

This description is really the most deadly to me – these teachers don’t just mislead – they entice the listener to a different point of view that will enslave them. They “seduce” people – there desire is not only to lead the person away from the Truth but toward a false system of belief and keep them there – these are the cults.

How important it is to all of us that love the Truth to take note how often Paul warns leaders to identify and guard against false doctrine and those that teach it. Here there should be no tolerance: a little leaven, leavens the entire loaf. Lord give us the wisdom of Your Spirit to guard those You have entrusted to us as disciples from false doctrine. Beginning with ourselves Lord.

* Meditation Questions: When you hear a “great” speaker – how do you define “great”? What is the most important thing to you about a message? How easy is it for you to identify false teaching? What does that say?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.