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. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. Titus 1:10-16
I wanted to post the entire letter of Paul’s to Titus. But then this wouldn’t be a devotional. I encourage you to read the whole thing … slowly, asking the Holy Spirit to highlight and explain certain passages. The letter is very succinct and brief. It is considered one of Paul’s ‘pastoral epistles’ along with his two letters to Timothy.
Paul doesn’t hold back describing those who are very religious but have no spiritual fruit, and how their consciences are “defiled”. Our conscience is something God has placed into every human. The human conscience recognizes God’s existence and nature and can be seared and defiled through continued selfishness and evil.
How does your spiritual community (Church/ ekklesia) choose elders, and overseers? Is it by education and degrees / certifications, or by success in business, or by the amount they have been able to give to the building programs? Are the put through the process of scripture concerning elders and overseers and undeniably confirmed by the Holy Spirit? Does the entire community agree or just the leadership? Like most human institutions many can ‘buy’ their way into leadership. Is there any case for that with your spiritual community? Is anyone asking about the process?
Unfortunately this is WAY too common with Church institutions. Because one has a PHD or have an MDiv in theology they are automatically seen as ‘spiritual’. Many can twist the scriptures to interpret them the way want for their own benefit. And because the individual is so ‘learned’ people automatically believe them. Study IS important but the knowledge of the written scriptures isn’t as important than the heart and Presence and the fruit of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. God looks on the heart of the individual. Is the person a truly humble individual before God and others?
As I read this letter to Titus – I automatically wonder if Titus would have chosen me to consider being an ‘elder’? Do I live up to these standards Paul lays out for Titus? Whether or not any of us are ‘chosen’ for the role we should measure ourselves to this standard of eldership, for it describes spiritual maturity. Are the areas the Holy Spirit highlighted to you in these lists? Is there something you need to consider?
This is the spiritual life – to be counseled by the Holy Spirit on your inner character and heart. Ever working towards the goal of being who He created you to be. Today make it your goal to read the entire letter of Titus while asking the Holy Spirit to speak to you about it. (Don’t worry, it’s short.)
“Read it through, write it down, pray it in, work it out, pass it on. The Word of God changes a man until he becomes an epistle of God.” Smith Wigglesworth