We have emphasized throughout our study of Timothy and Titus that sound (or “healthy”) teaching is imperative for Christians. Man cannot be saved by man’s doctrine. Man’s doctrine does not glorify God; it does not honor Christ. No one will be in heaven because he said, “I did what so-and-so told me to do.” Rather, man’s doctrine has no higher authority than the Devil himself, such that Paul would call false teaching, in 1 Timothy 4:1, the “doctrines of demons.”
Peter tells us that the Devil is a roaring lion prowling, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The Devil works primarily by getting the word of God out of peoples’ lives and, thereby, out of their hearts. He “steals the seed,” to borrow imagery from the parable of the soils in Luke 8:12.
Not only is it the preacher’s job to preach the truth, not only is it the teacher’s job to teach the truth, but Paul will tell Titus here in Titus 1:10-16 that it is the elders’ job to muzzle that lion, to muzzle the mouths of false teachers.
Jesus is the Chief Shepherd and the Chief Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). But Jesus has appointed the body of elders to serve as His “under-shepherds” and “under-guardians” in the process of looking out for the souls of the flock of Jesus Christ. By following the qualifications put into writing by the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3 and here in Titus 1, the Holy Spirit has chosen these men, by working through their appointment by the congregation over which they superintend, to feed the flock of Christ, the church of God, which Christ purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28).
The elders shepherd us by providing encouragement and counseling on a one-on-one basis. The elders shepherd us by providing numerous activities throughout the year that build us up and support our Christian growth. The elders shepherd us by providing learning opportunities for growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The elders want us to grow in our own love and appreciation for the Chief Shepherd.
Many men around the world have already used sildenafil 100mg viagra super active and have benefited from its effectiveness in helping men deal with erectile dysfunction should be considered before prescribing this drug .The safety of this medicine has not been studied in laboratory settings. It brings happiness in your married life and keeps you and your partner fully satisfied. / Get purchase cialis online rid of unsatisfied sexual experience by using Kamagra. Chronic stress and long-term depression can also lead to ED* Excessive smoking, alcoholism, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, kidney or liver disease, circumcision complications, smoking and injury to the genital viagra australia price region of a person. Consumption of fat rich food before india viagra popping a Silagra tablet should be avoided. That whole process of shepherding by teaching is the focus of this next section of Titus, 1:10-16. Verses 10-11 specifically say, “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.”
So Paul writes these men must be “silenced.” Observe, first of all, the verb “must.” That shows the idea of a moral imperative. You cannot let false teaching destroy the body of Christ. The false teacher is accountable before God for what he teaches but elders are also accountable before God for what they allow to be taught.
Second, this verb “silenced” carries the idea of muzzling someone. Their mouths must be stopped because they are “upsetting whole families.” They were teaching things they “should” not. This word “should” is the same word translated “must” earlier in the verse. These men were teaching things they “must” not. How do you know what should and should not be taught? Is it in the Book? Book, chapter, verse?
Elders need to know the Book, defend the Book, and teach the Book. Support your elders in their efforts.
–Paul Holland
