Chuck Larsen

Paul calls the false teachers dangerous dogs and lays out several characteristics that are designed to help Titus identify them and deal with them in the appropriate way. You’ll know them because they are defiant of legitimate authority, they are distracters from true truth, they are deceivers and often use lies to promote their cause and finally, he tells us that they are divisive. Everywhere you find “false teachers” you’ll find discord, strife, and conflict.

Divisive behavior is often attributed to the evangelical community because for the most part they do not compromise their convictions. In many major denominations today we are reading about division because official leadership has chosen to ordain homosexuals into their ministry, or reject the authority of scripture, or promote and support the cause of abortion over against defending the lives of those who cannot speak for themselves. Each of these issues has been a solid doctrine in the historic Christian faith. Yet, those who stand for the rights of the unborn, or who reject homosexual marriage or ordination, or who stand firm on the promises of God recorded in the scripture are those who are seen as the divisive element. Martin Luther is the cause for the major split in a one world church (despite the fact that the east and west Catholic Church split over issues hundreds of years earlier). Yet, Luther was the one who held to the apostolic authority of the Scriptures and argued “sola scriptura” as the basis of all authority.

Discord and conflict as well as strife and confusion arise when false teachers attempt to usurp the authority of Christ and the Scriptures and twist them to their own ends. This is exactly what Jude meant when he wrote, “But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ It is these who cause divisions,..” (Emphasis added) (Jude 17-19). Paul also warned the Romans with a powerful verse. He says, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ..”

Chuck
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: …enmity, strife…rivalries, dissensions, divisions… those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

Another common trait that Paul tells Titus to be on the look out for is deception. He calls the false teachers, the dangerous dogs, “deceivers.” I like the way the Amplified Bible translates, and adds explanation to Paul’s warning to the Galatians who were falling prey to false teachers. He says, “A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump (it perverts the whole conception of faith and misleads the whole church.”

Let me quote one of my old professors who wrote a popular handbook on cultic misinterpretations. He gives some examples and explains the deceptive nature of cults. He writes, “Moonies are known for their so–called heavenly deception. Duplicity and lies are used to win converts into the movement. Mormon founder Joseph Smith also engaged in fraudulent tactics which, on occasion, even landed him in court, where he was once found guilty and fined. Modern leaders of Transcendental Meditation have also been deceptive in trying to further their cause. Far more common is the cults’ use of Christian terms infused with new meanings, thus deceiving untrained Christians into believing the cult is Christian. For example, New Age cults sometimes use the Christian terms ‘resurrection’ and ‘ascension’ when they really mean the ‘rise’ of Christ–consciousness in the world. The familiar Christian term ‘born again’ is often employed by New Agers to support the doctrine of reincarnation. The term ‘the Christ’ is used by New Agers to seek Christian approval when to them it actually means an occult office held by various gurus throughout history.”

Norm Geisler often gets in trouble for speaking his mind so clearly. I know about that. But let me finish again today giving you his words about the danger of spiritual deception. Again he writes, “Those who believe lies are already deceived. And if they act on these lies they are in danger. Some everyday examples make the point well. If you believe a railroad flashing sign is just stuck when it isn’t, you are in serious danger of being hit by a train. If you believe ice on a lake is very thick when it is thin, you are in danger of drowning. If you think you are on a two–way street when it is one–way, you are in dire danger of a head–on collision. The spiritual danger of believing a lie is even more serious—it has eternal consequences! To die while believing in the Jesus of the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Jesus of Mormonism is to die believing in a counterfeit Jesus who preaches a counterfeit gospel which yields a counterfeit salvation (which, in fact, is no salvation at all).”

Chuck
“The truth shall set you free…” John 8:32

Another description that Paul gives to Titus regarding the identity of false teachers, dangerous dogs, is that they are “empty talkers.” This means to distract attention from a higher priority and occupy time with insignificant dialogue and discussion. In Paul’s writing we see him specifically address those who forbid others to marry, who command abstinence from certain foods, who command strict observance to Old Testament cultural practices like circumcision, Sabbath observations, and overall dietary restrictions.

I have chosen to call them “distracters.” If you’ve ever taken a multiple-choice test you know what a distracter is. Each question consists of three parts; the question itself, the correct option, and usually three distracters. The question is usually called the “stem” by test writers. It is often presented as an incomplete statement that only one of the options will accurately complete. The distracters present plausible substitutes for someone who hasn’t studied the subject thoroughly or who does not recognize the correct answer. The closer the distracters are to the truth, the more difficult it is to recognize the correct answer.

That’s the ploy of false teachers. They learned it from the master who comes as an “angel of light” to distract our attention from true truth to partial truth. One author put it well when he said, “The cornerstone of all quality life is truth. Truth, without any mixture of error, is absolutely essential to life. Whether in marriage or mathematics, social behavior or sexual mores, partial truth is no truth at all. Satan’s first approach to Eve was a classic example of how he works and a pattern from which he never varies…His approach was not ‘God has not said,’ rather ‘Did God really say that?’ He did not call God’s Word untrue. He simply raised the doubt. Are you sure it is true? It was only as Eve reeled beneath the staggering possibility God’s Word might not be true, that he spoke the lie, ‘You will not surely die.’ It was a very short mental journey from ‘Are you sure of God’s Word?’ to ‘You cannot be sure of God’s Word.’ Satan is the master of the subtle attack. Seldom does he come with a frontal assault on truth. Partial truth, half-truths, and deception are his constant ploy; and the first man and woman would be the first to learn this bitter lesson.” I would simply add many cult followers have fallen for the same distracter!

Chuck
“Whatsoever things are true…think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

The ESV (English Standard Version) uses the word “insubordinate” to describe the character of the false teachers. They appoint themselves as leaders, or sneak in when others are not watching as Paul explained to the Ephesian Elders. The first part of Titus dealt with having a good reputation in the community and being a good example for others to follow. In these verses about “dangerous dogs” he talks about those who set the wrong example. Everyone is an example! We are either an example for good or an example for bad in all the things we do. Respect of authority and submission to those appointed over us is a key principle taught frequently in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The chain of authority for the Christian is the Living Word Jesus Christ as revealed to us in the written word. One of the great sins of the latter part of the twentieth century has been the sin of rejecting God’s authority. It is the breaking of the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me.” In commissioning His followers to make disciples Jesus began by explaining “all authority has been given to me.” To be truly Christian, one must respect Christ’s authority as God’s authority. Many today reject the Lordship of Christ and treat Him as just another good man, or just another prophet. He’s the incarnation of God into our world. All authority is His. He commissioned the Apostles and sent the Holy Spirit to lead them into all truth, which they passed on to us in the scriptures. When others ignore that chain of Command, they forfeit their right as spiritual leaders – thus justifying the reformation.

However, Paul urges us to follow him, just as he follows Christ, affirming the chain of Command in his ministry. To submit ourselves to Paul’s teachings is to submit ourselves to Christ’s teachings, which is to submit ourselves to God. Love and respect for godly leaders is given a high priority in the church. Paul teaches that we should esteem those who labor among us very highly in love (1 Thess. 5:13), and that the elders who rule well should be counted worthy of double honor (1 Tim. 5:17). He even instructs the Romans to be obedient to the governing rulers of the day. What a contrast is this teaching to that of the false teachers who would lead us astray! They reject the teachings of Paul and the other Apostles as recorded in scripture and therefore deny the Lordship of Christ.

Chuck
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” Hebrews 13:17