13 This saying is true. Therefore REBUKE THEM SHARPLY, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth. Titus 1 NIV
We saw yesterday that Paul advocated by the Spirit, that there were people who had to be, ‘Sharply Rebuked’. They couldn’t be allowed to run riot and destroy the families of Believers, or harm the wider Church Body.
14 and to stop them from listening to Jewish folk tales and the demands of men who have turned their backs on the truth. Titus 1 TLB
These people were drawn to listen to wrong information, coming from the wrong people. Paul goes on to make an interesting comment about such people and why they behave as they do.
15 A PERSON WHO IS PURE OF HEART SEES GOODNESS AND PURITY IN EVERYTHING; but a person whose own heart is evil and untrusting finds evil in everything, FOR HIS DIRTY MIND AND REBELLIOUS HEART COLOUR ALL HE SEES AND HEARS. 16 Such persons claim they know God, but from seeing the way they act, one knows they don’t. They are rotten and disobedient, worthless so far as doing anything good is concerned. Titus 1 TLB
We live in an age when people’s minds have been filled with the things and values of this world through the mass media. The damage caused has been incalculable and it continues to this day. Paul says once people’s minds have been infiltrated to this degree they see everything from that perspective, or through that lens. The New Birth is a powerful beginning for believers and initially people have a new sensitivity to the things of God and to their fellow man. But the Bible also instructs us not to continue in the old ways;
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, BUT BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12
Our Belief Systems, what we’ve based our whole lives upon, have to be radically changed or the enemy and this world which he dominates, will continue to hold sway in our lives! It’s the time we spend out of the world and with the Lord that will have the greatest impact on our lives now and for eternity.
Paul warned Titus against people who had not been renewed in their minds, who wanted to follow a different agenda, completely contrary to the Gospel. They had to be stopped pedalling their destructive heresy among the Believers and Paul told Titus to Rebuke them sharply. The same follows for the homes of Believers, stop the strife at source, don’t tolerate it. Nothing must be allowed an entrance which will contaminate the atmosphere. Jesus described Himself as the Gate to the sheepfold JOHN 10:7, we must stop the thief gaining entry to what the Lord has given us.
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6