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Daily Devotions

Titus

Titus 
Day 
Day 17

"They profess to know God..."

Text: Titus 1:16

A FINAL WORD ABOUT THE FALSE TEACHERS

The apostle wrote a final word about the false teachers. Paul wrote from deep personal experience. His observation is sharp indeed.

“They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him,
being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”
Titus 1:16

1. “They profess to know God”

a) This is the easiest part.
i) They were mere words.
ii) Such a profession of faith has little significance .
b) Jesus warned about those who merely profess faith (Matthew 7:21).
i) They learn how to call Him “Lord”.
ii) But they do not show that they are obeying Him as Lord at all.

2. “But in works they deny Him”

a) Works are the tell-tale signs.
i) Without works we have a dead faith (James 2:20).
ii) Works represent the fruit of a tree (Matthew 7:16-20).
b) Denial of the Lord
i) Not necessarily verbal.
ii) But certainly through wicked works.

3. Three aspects highlighted

a) These aspects are “obviously evidenced”.
b) The three aspects highlighted:-
i) Abominable (“detestable” and “vile”)
ii) Disobedient (“Rebellious”)
iii) Disqualified for every good work (“proven to be unsuitable to doing good works”).

WHAT IS NEEDED TO COMBAT FALSE TEACHERS?

It would be very naive to think that having a heart of love is all that is ever needed in faith and life. This is certainly not true as far as the apostle Paul was concerned. Wisdom and discernment are absolutely important to possess! The need for strength and courage would also be needed to combat false teachers effectively. Strength and solidarity must also prevail when we are tackling false teachers and erroneous teachings!