It’s a disturbing story, but it reveals an important truth: deception is often dressed in religious language. What promises healing can instead bring destruction. And while most of us won’t fall for a bleach-based cure, we are vulnerable to a different kind of danger—spiritual deception. False teachers, just like the Grenons, peddle false ideas wrapped in religious packaging. The consequences are just as serious: broken faith, disrupted communities, and spiritual harm.
That’s the challenge Paul addresses in Titus 1:10–16. Writing to his trusted companion Titus, Paul warns about the danger false teachers posed to the young churches on the island of Crete. These weren’t abstract theological threats—they were real people teaching real lies, causing real damage.
Recognizing the Threat (Titus 1:10–11)
Paul pulls no punches. He describes these teachers as “insubordinate, empty talkers, and deceivers,” especially those pushing Old Covenant legalism. They didn’t just have bad theology; they were rebellious (refusing to submit to the authority of the Scripture or the Apostles), spreading confusion, and motivated by greed. Their teaching lacked substance, offered false hope, and created division—upsetting entire households, perhaps even dismantling house churches.
Paul’s command is clear: “They must be silenced.” Not through violence or censorship, but through strong, sound teaching that exposes error and explains Scripture. Truth must be louder than deception.
Application: Our world is full of spiritual noise. Not every podcast, sermon clip, or viral quote is rooted in truth. Some voices are driven by money, influence, or ego, not the gospel. Discernment begins with Scripture. A healthy skepticism isn’t a lack of faith—it’s a shield of wisdom in a world full of false promises.
Confronting Error with Courage (Titus 1:12–14)
To drive home his point, Paul quotes a Cretan poet who called his own people “liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Paul doesn’t shy away from cultural critique—he uses it to illustrate just how urgent the problem is. These false teachers were promoting “Jewish myths” and human commands instead of God’s Word. They weren’t just off-base; they were pulling people away from Jesus.
Paul tells Titus to “rebuke them sharply.” That might sound harsh, but it’s a form of loving correction. Titus wasn’t picking fights over small differences—he was protecting the church from teachings that distorted the gospel and undermined grace.
Application: Confronting error is an act of love. Truth matters, and when someone teaches a gospel that leads people away from Jesus, we can’t afford to stay silent. But we must correct with humility, not arrogance. As Paul says in Ephesians 4:15, we “speak the truth in love.”
Exposing False Faith (Titus 1:15–16)
Paul contrasts authentic faith with the hypocrisy of the false teachers. “To the pure, all things are pure,” he writes, “but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure.” He’s pointing to the obsession some had with purity laws and religious rituals. Instead of resting in the cleansing power of Christ, they clung to rules, judging others and separating themselves from those they deemed “unclean.”
The irony? Their actions betrayed their message. “They profess to know God,” Paul writes, “but they deny him by their works.” Their lives were marked by greed, disobedience, and corruption—not the grace they claimed to preach.
Application: Right doctrine must lead to right living. What we believe should be evident in how we live. If our lives don’t reflect the love, purity, and truth of Jesus, then we’ve missed the heart of the gospel. As Jesus said, a tree is known by its fruit.
Guarding the Truth by Grace
How do we stay grounded in truth in a world so full of noise and deception? Paul’s words offer us a few practical ways to remain faithful:
1. Have a trusted teacher.
God gives the church pastors and elders to shepherd His people. Know who you’re learning from. I approach the Bible with three principles: (1) The Bible is for us but not written to us—so I study commentaries to gain understanding about the original context. (2) I interpret Scripture through the lens of God’s covenants. (3) The Kingdom of God is the heartbeat of the gospel. Knowing your teacher’s approach builds trust.
2. Watch how Scripture is handled.
If someone cherry-picks verses without context, be cautious. A good teacher explains not just a verse but the whole passage—what it meant then and what it means now.
3. Consider the focus of the message.
Are they always telling personal stories but rarely digging into doctrine or Scripture? Are their messages more about themselves than about Jesus? That’s a red flag.
4. Test every “revelation.”
Some teachers constantly claim direct revelations from God, using phrases like “God told me…” as conversation stoppers. But Scripture tells us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). God’s Word is the standard, not someone’s feelings or visions.
Final Thoughts: Truth in the Fog
In 2016, The Economist published a cover story titled “Yes, I’d Lie to You: The Post-Truth World.” It explained how modern censorship doesn’t always come through suppression—but through distraction. Some governments flood social media with so much noise that truth gets buried under an avalanche of nonsense.
That’s our spiritual challenge, too. In a world full of TikTok theology and algorithm-approved preachers, truth can get lost in the shuffle. But here’s the good news: grace gives us clarity. The gospel shines like a lighthouse through the fog. God has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people to guide us.
So let’s guard the truth—not just in what we believe, but in how we live. Let’s be people who speak with clarity, live with integrity, and shine with grace. In a post-truth world, that’s what it means to follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Big Idea: Grace transforms us to love the truth and reject lies.
Challenge: Practice reading Scripture with discernment. Try the COMA method:
Context – What’s happening around this passage?
Observation – What stands out?
Meaning – What does it teach us about God and His people?
Application – How should it change us?
Need help? I’d love to walk through Scripture with you.
Let’s be people who not only know the truth—but who live it for the glory of King Jesus.
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