It is essential for this lesson to begin by acknowledging the situation of the Cretan Christians. Paul sent this letter to a companion missionary, Titus (Titus 1:4). Titus was purposely left on the island of Crete by Paul (Titus 1:5). Paul reminded Titus of why he left him in Crete--to establish leadership in the congregations there (Titus 1:5). Paul specified in writing [stressing again an earlier verbal encouragement] the kind of men Titus was to seek to be leaders in the Christian community.
Students need to understand with clarity the kind of society and culture that existed on the island of Crete for centuries. From a Christian perspective, the Cretan society in general championed and advanced evil values and perspectives. Not even most of other idolatrous societies had respect for the values and perspectives of the Cretans. They were a militaristic people for hire to the highest bidder. They basically did not care about the cause. They primarily cared about the money. Acquiring money any way one could acquire it was highly valued in their culture. Loyalty was an undesirable weakness. In their culture, the Cretans had a history of honoring deceit, drunkenness, adultery, and pleasure centered living.
That meant that Cretan Christians would learn, exhibit, and endorse values the Cretan society and culture considered disgusting. Therefore, it was critically important that Christian leaders be living examples of God's priorities and values as they shepherded Cretan Christians who had to learn a totally new lifestyle. Those who dared to follow Christ committed to a lifestyle that championed values their own society and culture rejected.
It would be fairly easy for a man who was honored by a godless society to become a leader in the Christian community. Paul said that must not happen! If a man was to be a leader in the Cretan Christian community, he personally must exemplify the values God revealed in Jesus Christ. Even though Cretan society rejected those values, those belonging to Jesus Christ honored those values enough to live by them!
It is in this context that today's text must be read and understood. Paul identified two sources of influence that either influenced or had the potential to influence Cretan Christianity in a powerfully manner. The first were those who seek money in any way they can. Their primary evaluation of every circumstance was in terms of it's money making potential (Titus 1:10,11). The other was the circumcision, the Jews, the Jewish community on Crete. Paul classified both sources as "deceitful men."
Paul's statements in verse 13-16 seem to indicate that both these influences were at work in the Cretan Christian community. Perhaps some who were primarily influenced by the Cretan culture said things like, "Everybody knows that cannot be right!" Perhaps some in the Jewish community said things like, "We have known and worshipped the God you now acknowledge through Jesus Christ for a long, long time. We know what He wants! We know how He is to be approached! We can give you the keys to the mysteries of how to please Him!
Paul was quite specific in regard to these rebellious influences. They were deceitful, empty talkers whose influence must end. They must be severely reproved to encourage them to be "sound in the faith" [sounds like people in the Christian community who were untrustworthy].
These people [in the Christian community] had defiled minds and consciences. They saw something wrong with everything--even that which was of itself pure. They could see something wrong even with purity because they possessed defiled minds and consciences. Because they thought evil of what was right, they taught Christians to feel guilty about doing pure things. They affirmed their values and perspectives came from God Himself [especially the circumcision or the Jews on Crete]. Yet, their behavior denied God's influence in their lives. They were worthless people who were detestable and disobedient to God. In a declaration of utter contempt, Paul declared nothing they did blessed anything good! It is difficult to be that evil in a community dedicated to spirituality in Jesus Christ, but it is possible.
Note a primary problem in these rebellious people: they had a defiled conscience. Paul's description of these rebellious people reminds us of Isaiah's description of Judah's rebellious majority in Isaiah 5:20-23. These verses are part of the woes Isaiah pronounced against wicked Judah for the spiritual decay in this southern kingdom of Israel. Isaiah's point is evident: because these conditions exist, wickedness rules the people who should be God's people.
Note in the reading these people forgot God's values: they called evil good and good evil; they substituted darkness for light; and they substituted bitter for sweet. They did not "feel" guilt for ungodly attitudes and behavior because they could do evil, live in darkness, taste bitterness, and regard those experiences to be expressions of good. Their consciences did not react to evil attitudes or behavior because their standards and values considered evil to be good. Because their basic concepts were incorrect, their consciences did not react to evil.
To these people it was just fine to consider themselves wise and clever. It was just fine to measure their manliness by their drinking habits. It was just fine to help the wicked achieve their purposes if such behavior was to their financial benefit.
Did the rebellious people in Titus 1 and Isaiah 5 have a conscience? Yes! Were they benefited by having a conscience? No! Why? Their defiled conscience felt guilt about godly matters and felt no guilt about evil matters. They had a conscience--it just responded to the wrong things! It did not react negatively to evil. It encouraged evil!
A defiled conscience affirms evil attitudes and behavior instead of recognizing and reacting against evil attitudes and behavior.
For Thought and Discussion
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 6