Bullies and the 10 Pound Bible

“Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully” (1Tim 1:8).

Fire can help and it can hurt. It can be helpful and it can be hurtful. The same flickering flames in the fireplace that warm you up on a frosty night can also burn your house to the ground and kill your family. When we use fire properly, it’s wonderful. But it’s deadly when mishandled. Timothy is dealing with a similar situation in Ephesus. No, the middle school kids aren’t playing with matches at a lock in. (On the other hand, if your middle schoolers are spending the night at the church, you probably need to make sure none of them brought a lighter.) 

A team of false teachers have infiltrated the Ephesian church and their counterfeit gospel is damaging believers (1Tim 1:3-6). Paul already kicked two of these bad teachers to the curb (1Tim 1:21). Clearly, a few more of these spiritual snake oil salesmen are still around. They think they’re hot stuff when it comes to teaching God’s Word but don’t have a clue what they’re talking about (1Tim 1:7). They are totally misusing Scripture and abusing the followers of Jesus. The apostle contrasts their way of teaching and tells Tim, “Now we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully” (v8). When the law of God is used correctly, it’s constructive, not destructive. It’s helpful, not hurtful. These bad teachers are simply playing with fire and somebody’s going to get burned.

Paul begins by reminding Tim, “Now we know that the law is good” (v8). By “we,” he’s drawing a distinction between themselves and the false teachers. Let’s be clear on the teams involved. You’ve got the good guys who are good teachers teaching the Good News. That would be the “we.” That would be Paul and Tim. On the other side of the field are the bad teachers teaching bad news. The reason the apostle has left his protege in Ephesus is because he’s a teammate. Paul trusts Tim. It’s important to remember that we’re not alone. Following the Lord isn’t a long, lonely ride like your some mysterious High Plains Drifter for Jesus. We do it together. We do it as a team. So who are your teammates you can count on? Who is your “we?” 

As partners in grace, this dynamic duo knows “that the law is good if one uses it lawfully” (v8). A quality carpenter always uses the right tool for the right job. Paul and Tim know when, where, and how to use the law of God. The apostle makes it clear that it’s “good” (v8). This is the Greek adjective kalos, which can mean beautiful but can also describe something as useful and practical. Paul goes out of his way to tell the church in Rome about how incredibly awesome God’s law really is. “The law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Rom 7:12). God’s law is a handy dandy tool when used in the right way. It’s helpful, not hurtful. It’s constructive, not destructive. 

You can be sure that’s NOT how bad teachers are using the law. They misuse God’s commandments to crush and cripple Christ followers. Let’s be honest, you’ve seen it for yourself. Maybe you’ve personally been on the business end of a 10 pound Bible. This is when some bully appoints themselves as a religious law enforcement officer. They are more than happy to call you out and condemn you every time you get out of line. Think of them as biker gangs. Jesus dealt with thugs called the Pharisees during His earthly ministry. Now Paul and Tim are ready to rumble with similar hoods in Ephesus. These jerks are carelessly throwing the law around, trying to make folks believe it’s up to us to maintain our place in God’s kingdom. According to their twisted teaching, if we want to stay saved we need to follow every single rule and regulation. Jesus may have gotten us in, but it’s up to us to work to stay in. 

If you’re wondering, THAT’S A LIE FROM THE PIT OF HELL!!!! We place our trust in what Jesus has done on our behalf. He does the work that we could never do for ourselves. Christ perfectly obeyed every single commandment in the Old Testament so that we aren’t held accountable for it. I’ll be the first one to admit that reading through OT books like Leviticus and Numbers makes my head spin. It’s just rule after law after commandment. Let’s read them differently. Read them with the revelation that Jesus did all of that. Every single one of them. For you. For me. We trust in Jesus’ perfect life of obedience, His death for our sin, and His spectacular resurrection on our behalf. If you’re wondering what else you need to do in order to maintain your place in God’s family, Jesus shouted the answer from the cross. “IT IS FINISHED!!!” (Jn 19:30 emphasis added with pleasure!).

Meanwhile Paul reassures his boy Tim that God’s law is awesome “if one uses it lawfully” (v8). The original language here describes God’s good law as legitimate and correct according to proper use. A few years after this letter, the apostle will write Timothy a second time and use this same word (Gr. nomimos). “An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules (Gr. nomimos)” (2Tim 2:5). So it also pictures an athlete who follows the rules of athletic competition. They don’t cheat. There’s no Deflategate scandal. No Spygate controversy. No suspicion of steroids or PEDs. This isn’t NASCAR where if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying. Good teachers and pastors use God’s law as it is supposed to be used. There’s no cheating. No fudging the truth. 

So what does it mean to use the law of God “lawfully” (v8)? The best illustration is one from medicine. Think of the law like a diagnostic device like a CT scan, MRI, or x-ray. What incredible tools they are to health care professionals. These machines allow doctors to look inside our bodies and diagnose the disease. Once they’ve figured out what’s wrong, they know exactly what sort of treatment plan to pursue. No matter how many times you get a CT scan, it doesn’t treat the disease. The law is a diagnostic tool. God gives us His law in order to see our desperate need for a Savior. It points out just how much we need the Gospel. 

Look at it this way. The law is the diagnostic. The Gospel is the treatment. Without God’s good law, we wouldn’t know how bad our condition is. Going back to the law over and over again doesn’t provide the treatment for our sin. Only the grace of Jesus does that! Or in the words of Paul, “For by the works of the law no human begin will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin” (Rom 3:20). When used correctly in combination with the Gospel, God’s commandments have incredible healing power. King David had a hit song all about it’s rejuvenating ability. “The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul” (Ps 19:7). The law can’t save. But it can tell us how badly we need to be saved. The law is used for our diagnosis, not the cure.

When God’s commandments are used as intended, they’re awesome. When they’re used a weapon, they’re awful. Knowing when, where, and how to use His wonderful Word is incredibly important. Or in the Message paraphrase of verse 8, “It’s true that moral guidance and counsel need to be given, but the way you say it and to whom you say it are as important as what you say” (v8 The Message). Use God’s rules and regulations carefully and graciously. He gives them to us for our own good. Just like a loving dad tells his kids to not play with matches, He gives them to us for our own protection. It’s NOT to be used to hammer and hurt people. Stop bullying people with your 10 pound Bible. 

Haters Gonna Hate

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).

“Haters gonna hate.” This little three-word ditty is everywhere. Folks drop it to justify themselves when they believe other people are putting them down. Other times, our friends try to encourage us when we’re being criticized by reassuring us. What else would we expect from those losers? Haters gonna hate. The dissenters will inevitably abhor. But you might be surprised that you find this idea in Bible. Yup, two thousand years ago, our man Paul wrote about this very same notion to his buddy Titus. But instead of getting cocky and thinking we’re hot stuff, the apostle used it to remind us of where we’ve been. We were fools. We were rebels. We were easily duped. We were all about doing what feels good. We were bullies. We were haters. We were hateful. In other words, haters gonna hate. And haters gonna be hated.

As he tells Titus what’s in the curriculum of teaching Cretans how to be Christ followers, Paul makes sure history is one of the classes. Every believer needs to know our own history before Jesus jumped in and saved us. Don’t forget who we were and what we were before God came to our rescue. It’s critical to know who Jesus is and what He’s done for us. He lived the spotless and perfect life that I totally failed to live. He died a cruel and brutal death for my sin that I totally should have died. He rose to a glorious new life that I totally do not deserve. But I also need to where I was before God got involved in my life. I need to know where I would be if God left me on my own. Let’s take a quick look, shall we? Fool. Rebel. Dupe. Slave. Bully. Hater. Sheesh, no wonder folks hated me. I’m pretty sure I would hate me too.

Let’s take a little walk down Memory Lane and get a little closer look at who we used to be. First of all, we were “once foolish” (v3). We didn’t have a clue of what to do. We didn’t think things through. In other words, I was a knucklehead and a moron. Folks would watch what I would do and sit back and shake their heads. We were “disobedient” (v3). Nobody was going to tell me what to do. You’re not the boss of me! We were “easily led astray” (v3). I was an easy mark for the latest con. Before Jesus rescued us, we were “slaves to various passions and pleasures” (v3). I did what wanted, when I wanted, with whom I wanted, with what I wanted. Damn the consequences. I lived for the right here and right now. I thought I was in complete control of my life when in fact my glands and my ego were running the joint. We were “passing our days in malice and envy” (v3). My hobby was meanness. I looked for trouble. And when you look for trouble, it always finds you. 

Here at the end of this history lesson, Paul lists the detestable dynamic duo. We used to be “hated by others and hating one another” (v3). When we see “hated” in the ESV, the apostle actually writes stugnetos, which means despicable, reprehensible, and loathsome. Before Jesus, I could play the title role in “Despicable Me.” Let’s face it, if I fit the previous description of being a fool, rebel, dupe, slave, and bully, that really is somebody that’s easy to hate. And if that’s not enough, we’re haters. We’re hated and we hate. We return the favor. This is the the Greek verb miseo. It describes detesting something or someone with hostility. It’s hate that does something. Jesus says that when we’re hated, we shouldn’t hate back. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate (Gr. miseo) you” (Lk 6:27). Haters gonna hate. But our Savior is gonna save. Christ saves us when we were still haters (Rom 5:8). As a result what He’s done for us, we the hated and hating should now forgive and love. Stop worrying about retribution. Stop plotting the Big Payback. Haters gonna hate. But the former hated and hating should forgive and love. Forgiven gonna forgive. Loved gonna love.

We all need a history lesson. We all need to know where we come from. We all need to remember where we would be without Jesus. Otherwise, haters gonna hate. 

Don't Drop the Gloves

“to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:2)

Hockey in the seventies was an absolute brawling bloodbath. Back in the day, every team had a goon. His job was simple. Beat the living snot out of anybody who even looked crossways at one of his teammates. Some teams like the Philadelphia Flyers had an entire roster of guys willing to drop the gloves and fight. They earned a reputation as the Broad Street Bullies. In his letter to Titus, Paul instructs him that this is exactly the opposite of what Jesus calls us to. Cut the the trash talk. Stop looking for a fight. Be kind and considerate. Not just to your teammates. Not just to people you like. To everybody. 

Don’t drop the gloves. Show the love.

You don’t exactly need to do a Greek word study to understand what the apostle is saying here. It means what it says. It says what it means. Once God puts us under the waterfall of His grace, we’re changed. Here in chapter three of his note to Titus, Paul gives us a picture of what a Christ follower looks like. First of all, we’re good citizens who are ready and willing to do good things and God things for those around us (Titus 3:1). 

In the next verse, we read that there are at least a couple of regular activities we need to eliminate for our daily routine. At the top of the list, I’m to “speak evil of no one” (v2). It’s interesting that the verb here is blasphemeo. If that looks like blasphemy, there’s a good reason. When I normally think of blasphemy, usually I understand that to be trashing God’s reputation. Earlier Paul tells Titus “that the older ladies should teach young women that the Word of God may not be reviled (Gr. blasphemeo)” (Titus 2:5). But it’s clear that God has a zero tolerance blasphemy policy toward anybody. Remember Aretha Franklin’s famous line to Jake and Elwood in “The Blues Brothers.” “Don’t you blaspheme in here! Don’t you blaspheme in here!” God does not want us talking smack about other folks to their face or behind their back. 

Well, there certainly have to be exceptions, right? We can’t be talking about my weird neighbor. You know that crazy cat lady down at the corner, don’t you? What about that person who hurt me so deep that I don’t think I’ll ever get over it? This certainly doesn’t include that cheating spouse, does it? The accountant who stole my life savings? The drunk driver who killed my child? Let’s take another look at the verse and see if Paul gives us a clue. “To speak evil of NO ONE” (v2, emphasis added). Well, that sure seems like an all inclusive list. No loopholes. No exceptions. Stop your griping. Stop your whining. Stop your gossiping. Follow Aretha’s advice. “Don’t you blaspheme in here! Don’t you blaspheme in here!”

We’re not just to turn off our verbal flamethrower. As followers of Jesus, we should “avoid quarreling” (v2). A closer look at the original language reveals the word amachos. It literally means “no (a-) fighting (-machos).” The term describes someone who is peaceful, not a brawler, not contentious, and who abstains from fighting. Over in a very similar note to Pastor Tim, Paul writes how an overseer must be held to a higher stand and “not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome (Gr. amachos), not a lover of money” (1Tim 3:3). Believers aren’t hockey goons, skating around and looking to throw down. We’re not looking to fight. We’re not hoping for conflict. Be a non-fighter.

Don’t drop the gloves. Show the love.

Instead of trolling for a so called “dance partner,” Jesus calls us “to be gentle” (v2). The Greek word here (Gr. epieikes) means to give up your place in or on something. Think of offering someone your seat. As follower of Jesus, we give. We don’t take. Don’t be a bully. Stop stealing their lunch money. Stop being a punk. Stop being a hockey goon. Just because you’re stronger, doesn’t mean you should throw your weight around. Instead, be kind. Be sympathetic. Be considerate. Show grace. Show compassion. Paul tells his friends over in Philippi, “Let your gentleness (Gr. epieikes) be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Phil 4:5 NIV). 

Just in case we weren’t paying attention, Paul hits us with his velvet hammer of gentleness a second time. “Show perfect courtesy toward all people” (v2). Don’t be fooled into thinking this is just saying “please” or “thank you.” This isn’t simply holding the door for someone or playing the good Boy Scout by walking the old lady across the street. The word here (Gr. prautes) describes gentle friendliness, considerateness, and accommodating another’s weakness. It’s serving and loving someone right where they are. This is putting others’ needs ahead of my own. It’s a “me third” attitude. That means God first, others second, and me third. It’s walking behind the parade of life with a bucket and a shovel. It’s being a servant. Once again, don’t miss the fact that the apostle leaves no wiggle room or loopholes. I’m not simply considerate and courteous to folks who are nice to me. I’m to “show perfect courtesy TOWARD ALL PEOPLE” (v2 emphasis added). God has made every last one of us in His image (Gen 1:26-27). Every single person we lock eyes with is someone for whom Jesus died.

But there are a couple of problems here that we have to admit. Our culture has duped us into thinking that gentleness is being a wuss. But in so many cases, being gentle is expressed by the one who has the position of strength and leverage. Just because they can use their power against someone, doesn’t mean they should. Think of the religious thugs known as the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus dealt with. I think we all need to take a long and uncomfortable look in the mirror as ask ourselves if we’re spiritual bullies. People are broken and bruised. They need a Savior not a slugger. The other issue is that so many of us hide behind masks of intimidation. We play the bully when the truth is we’re broken. Chances are the person who torments you is hiding behind their own pain. Will Bowen hit the nail on the head when he wrote, “Hurt people hurt people.” 

Don’t drop the gloves. Show the love. Show the love of Jesus.

Liars, Bullies & Slobs

“One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons’” (v12).

American author Thomas Wolfe wrote, “You can’t go home again.” Well, that certainly would’ve been true of a dude named Epimenides. He was a celebrity Greek poet from Crete who wrote about 700 years before Jesus. And, man, did he say some terrible things about his homeboys! He called these folks “are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (v12). Don’t you know his Cretan buddies would love to get their hands on him! But here’s the deal, the Apostle Paul said he was right on target. Deceivers. Wild animals. Fat and lazy. Paul gives this this scouting report to Titus. These are the folks he’ll be dealing with. Yeah, good luck with that. But don’t forget, the Gospel is radically transforming the people on this island.

Let’s set the scene. Titus is on the Mediterranean island of Crete in the days following a crazy move of God. The Gospel of Jesus has saved folks in just about every Cretan city. His mentor Paul has moved on to his next assignment (Titus 3:12). But he’s given the Big T three things to scratch off the list and wrap up his mission. Put leadership in place in the local churches (Titus 1:5). Shut up and shut down a crew of spiritual con artists (Titus 1:10-11). Establish a system that will tell others about walking with Jesus that will replicate itself after he leaves (Titus 2:1-10). 

In his instructions about dealing with the false teachers, Paul reminds Titus just exactly what kind of folks live there. “Liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (v12). Hey, don’t just take Paul’s word for it. “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own” said this about the folks back home. By quoting Epimenides, the apostle begins by using a term (Gr. pseustes) that paints these folks as cheaters and deceivers. You can tell somebody is from Crete because their lips are moving. As if that’s not bad enough, Titus is surrounded by “evil (Gr. kakos) beasts (Gr. therion)” (v12). There are a ferocious and savage animals living on the island. And those are just the people! The word paints a picture of savage and deadly apex predators. John uses this very same word to describe savage, satanic critters in Revelation, including the capital “B” Beast who wears the 666 jersey (Rev 11:7; 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 15:2; 16:2-13; 17:3-17; 19:19-20; 20:4, 10). The apostle goes on to throw Cretans under the bus by calling them “lazy gluttons” (v12). The phrase literally means people who refuse to work who are thinking only of the next meal. Picture some slob on the couch covered in the dust of his last bag of Cheetos. 

So these are the folks Titus is dealing with. Cheaters. Ferocious animals. Lazy slobs. Quite the all-star team, don’t you think? But here’s what you need to know. These are the kind of folks Jesus is saving on the island of Crete! And that doesn’t just describe Crete, we could be talking about any place on the planet. (Insert your nationality or demographic group here) “are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons” (v12). Even the great Apostle Paul saw himself as a dirtbag. If you were to rank sinners around the world, the man from Tarsus would put himself in the pole position as top dog (1Tim 1:15). So before we go getting all high and mighty by comparing ourselves to Cretans, we need to pump the brakes. We need Jesus just as much as they do.

There’s one other thing about this verse. Notice how Paul uses pop culture as a teaching tool. This would be the same as teaching the Bible with illustrations from TV or movies. And the apostle did it more than once (Acts 17:28; 1Cor 15:33). God’s Word should be taught creatively. The Bible is NOT boring and should NEVER be taught that way! Use every available resource to reach the folks you’re talking to. What’s music is popular? What TV shows get the top ratings? What movies are number one at the box office? Take what people know and use it to tell them what they need to know.