Subverted, Sins and Being Condemned Titus 3:11 - Equipped for Battle

As we come to the close of this fantastic book written to Titus by the apostle Paul, we are studying what Paul said to do with a heretic. Heretics were those who were causing division, believing false doctrine, and causing schisms within the body of Christ located in Crete. We learned in our last verse that Titus was to warn heretics twice and then reject them. We see Paul's reason in today's verse located in chapter three and verse eleven where he wrote:

Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sins, being condemned of himself.

Paul gives the first reason for the heretic's behavior, “he that is such is subverted.” He or she is twisted, torn up or inverted in their thinking. The idea is they have perverted or corrupt thoughts. Whenever a person is left to themselves or another wayward teacher who does not study the word of God, they contrive all sorts of strange ideas. This imagination here and that imagination there convinces them they are right, and then when they believe themselves to be so, they promote these ideas to others. Rather than turn people toward a relationship with God, they usually turn them either toward themselves or toward some strange thoughts or behaviors. Paul knows their tendencies, and he desires that Titus not only be aware of them, but also to deal properly with them when they arrive.

Secondly, Paul writes, “and sins” when referring to the heretic. They “miss the mark”, wander from the path of righteousness and honor, and stray from God's law. They generally become a law to themselves, and they dictate their behavior by whatever their own minds contrive. In this, they sin and violate the law of God.

Finally, Paul concludes the heretic is “being condemned of himself.” In other words, by his or her own thoughts and actions he or she is self-condemned. They put themselves in a place where they are convicted, doomed and directed toward judgment. Whenever a person takes it upon themselves to foster ideas that are contrary to the teachings of the scripture and sound doctrine, they put themselves in the position of a heretic which condemns them before God. This is why it is so important to stay close to the scriptures in our studies. Strayed ideas can lead a person into self-condemnation, and the end of that path is not one to be desired.

A subverter, a sinner, and one who is condemned doesn't sound like a label any of us would desire to wear. May we all consider the traits of a heretic and be ready to act accordingly should we find one dividing the church. Let us also be sure we are not among those who follow these self-condemning ways and forget the very scriptures which keep us from being so.

Next time we will begin the salutations that conclude the book of Titus, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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