False Deceivers

It is Halloween day and as I drove home from a concert last night I noticed several yards that were elaborately decorated with ghosts, pumpkin faces, witches and some had expensive props with colored lights strung up. For some there is almost as much celebrating for this dark day as is done for Christmas. To many people there may be little difference in the days to them, all is for fun and treats. Not many are sad at Halloween,  maybe strung out on sugar, but at Christmas, many are sad. Perhaps this is conviction, the Lord seeking to draw the lost back to him. At worst it is the devil and the flesh remembering happier times. Let us hold onto what is good each day while we are alive on this earth for we are witnesses of a better time, the time of our meeting Jesus and our conversion from darkness to the kingdom of light. Paul encouraged a Bishop of God in his letter to Titus.

Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Holding fast, he is anchored in the word of God. By the word he is able to correct and encourage others. The word of God is able to bring God's power for a new life to some of the skeptics and enemies of the Lord.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

We must be subject to God's word and his direction. Too many are living evil lives, even some of those who are in the church; they are not disciples of Jesus Christ. We need to obey God and his word.

False ones

Titus 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

unruly; not under submission to authority

vain talkers; speaking empty worthless words

deceivers; seducers, flatterer, seeking to take advantage of you

the circumcision; the old covenant Jews, those who do not understand nor receive the grace of Jesus, or those who wish to put Jewish customs upon the Christians. For example, insisting in circumcision.

Gal 5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Gal 5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Gal 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Titus 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

These dangerous false teachers must be exposed and stopped, they are seeking your money. They want to use you and are dangerous to follow, for they are not of God. Nothing is so sad as to seek to come out of the darkness and then to be subject to a false religious guide. Jesus is the light and the new life, follow him.