After much instruction about
how Titus is to instruct the members of the church at Crete
concerning their behavior and attitudes, Paul the apostle now turns
his attention toward specific behaviors for Titus himself as the
overseer of the church. Paul desires that Titus attend to the people
there, however there are a few things that Titus is to avoid. Paul
wrote in chapter three and verse nine:
But avoid foolish
questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the
law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
One
of the first things Titus is to avoid are “foolish
questions.” There are many
questions that are asked that do not have gaining of information in
mind. They are designed rather for debate, semantical battles, and
argument. Examples of these would be, “If God is so big, how come
He cannot make a rock that He can't pick up?” or “How many angels
can dance on the head of a pin?” Sometimes people do not have good
intentions when they ask questions. Their motive is simply raw
engagement, and they only seek conflict and verbal war. Paul
instructs Titus to avoid these type of questions.
Next
Paul instructs Titus to avoid “genealogies”
which are records of descent or lineage. This idea involves strata
and social ranking as though one group of people is better than
another. Sometimes people become interested and domineering about
their heritage and their supposed value from a certain line or group.
Paul advises Titus to keep away from these also.
In
addition to foolish questions and genealogies, Titus is to stay clear
of “contentions”.
These have the idea of strivings or wrangling. Some people just
simply like to argue, and they will confront Titus just to wage a war
of words with him. Paul tells Titus to avoid these contentions, and
whenever Titus encounters them, bypass the person who is starting
them.
To
conclude Paul's list he adds that Titus should circumvent “strivings
about the law”. “Should we
eat meat or should we not eat meat?” “Which day is more Holy, the
Sabbath day or any other day of the week?” “How far can a person
travel on a Sabbath day before he or she violates the law?” and
such questions like these are to be guarded against. Once again there
are individuals who like to fight, and those who deem themselves
“spiritual” will often resort to the scriptures as their basis
for being right. Titus is to watch out for these engagements as there
is not a pure motive behind their conversations. They are dishonest
in their desire to know, they are frankly nothing other than
antagonistic.
Finally
Paul gives the reason that Titus is to avoid these traits, “for
they are unprofitable and vain.” When
people ask and engage in these type of questions and ideas, the
questions and statements are valueless, and no one is benefited by
them. These battles are not meant to edify, but rather to battle.
They are devoid of truth, success and purpose, and they are useless
for Titus to engage. They take up valuable time that may be used for
ministering to others who sincerely desire to know the truth. Titus
is to fend off anyone who brings these altercations before him.
What about us? Are we honest in our
desire for knowledge of the scriptures, spiritual questions, and the
law of God? Do we engage others in conversations simply to battle
with them? Are we as those who begin dialog just to prove our point
or score in intellectual superiority? Would Titus avoid us or be
happy to have a conversation with us? Perhaps today our questions
should be directed at a mirror, and the we may discover whether we
are of those who easily argue for argument's sake or of those who
really desire to know more about God and His ways.
Next time we will find out what Paul
has to say about heretics, so read ahead, and we shall join together
then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
; download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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