Religious deceivers have always been common, even back in Bible days. Thatβs what prompted the Apostle Paul to warn Titus,
ββ¦there are manyβ¦ vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stoppedβ¦β (Titus 1:10,11).
But how did Paul expect Titus to go about shutting the mouths of these teachers of the Law? When one remembers what a tough man Titus was (cf. II Cor. 7:15), one shudders to think of how he might have chosen to shut the mouth of a deceitful vain talker! I hear Titus was so tough, he had a bearskin rug. The bear wasnβt dead, he was just afraid to move!
But while Titus was aΒ toughΒ man, he was also aΒ savedΒ man, and he knew there was a better way to shut the mouths of false teachers. Do you remember how the Lord did it when He was questioned by the chief priests, the scribes, and the Saducees (Luke 20:19-38)? He answered their questionsΒ so thoroughlyΒ that βafter thatΒ they durst not ask Him any question at allβ (Luke 20:40). In other words,Β He stopped their mouths.
AndΒ thatβsΒ how Paul expected Titus to shut the mouths of the vain talkers. He expected him to teach the grace of God so thoroughly and so convincingly that it would leave these vain talkers speechless. And thatβs how God expects us to shut the mouths of deceivers who would teach the Law in our own dayβ¦not by mocking them, ridiculing them, or belittling them, but by presenting a clear presentation of the truth. source
