[Titus 1, Proverbs 29]

H – Titus 1:16, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”

E – True Confession!

If I’m honest, this verse burdens me because faces and names run through my mind as I read it. People I genuinely care for; family and friends. People that I know have confessed to know God, yet by all appearances deny the power of salvation and are un-surrendered to His Lordship. 

For all the faces and names that run through my head I want to shake them wishing they would see that their confession doesn’t match the life of a person who has truly surrendered to Christ Jesus as their Savior and Lord (v.4). 

There is no doubt that Paul is addressing false prophets as he writes to Titus. They have been disruptive to those of the faith and needed to be rebuked (v.13). Many times we look at false prophets as someone who has a voice that is loud and comes before groups of people to lead them astray. However, if we take this passage a step further we see that these false prophets where possibly ‘many’ (v.10) within a small gatherings known as the church. They had all the outward appearances of being Jews, claiming to be part of God’s family, yet where insubordinate (disobedient), empty talkers, and deceivers (v.10). Therefore, their confession was false, equalling a false prophet. Which makes verse 16 stand out even more. 

And this is where things get tougher. How do you address those you love, who you know have had a moment of confession, yet there is no evidence of radical life change? Do you coddle them so they don’t feel worse about themselves or so we don’t upset them? Do you love them without saying anything so you don’t rock the relational boat? Are you brutally honest about what you see in and through them? Or, do you lovingly hold firm the Word of God, give instruction in sound doctrine, and rebuke those you care about (v.9)? 

One thing we do see from Paul is that he was not the least bit hesitant to make such a judgement about what he saw. He saw the works of those in Crete as unbelievers, despite their claim to know God.

A – Affirm my confession, Grow through His grace and mercy, Hold fast the Word of God, Teach and give instruction in sound doctrine, Lovingly rebuke those who contradict it. 

R – Lord God, I thank you for my salvation. Father God, would you help me to see my need for you constantly. Forgive me for the moments that my confession has not matched my lifestyle or attitude. Lord lead me to be above reproach, hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined (v.7-8). God, I lift up those that are a burden on my heart. Lord God, reveal yourself to them in such a real way that they would come to a moment of genuine confession, real repentance, and be sound in faith (v.13). 

In Jesus Name!