… full of meaningless talk and deception …
Summary: Paul points us to a key facet of rebellious people: They are full of meaningless talk and deception. These two things are very real and very dangerous. If we let them, they can steal our lives.
In this part of Paul’s letter to Titus, he writes about people who oppose sound doctrine. He calls them “rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception.” It is interesting to me that Paul distinguishes between these two things. Talk that is intended to deceive certainly has a meaning. It is just not a healthy one.
What is meaningless talk? Let us use a simple math question to illustrate.
Putting aside any higher-level math concepts that might complicate this, let us agree for the sake of discussion that 2+2=4. So if I ask you how many “right” answers there are to the question, “How much is two plus two?” you would agree there is only one right answer.
Now, if there is one right answer to this question, how many wrong answers are there? Quite a few, right? In fact, there is no end to the number of wrong answers.
Now, let us say that you and I are sitting on a park bench, enjoying the sunshine, and marveling at the mathematical symmetry of two plus two equalling four. A third person comes along and takes an interest in our conversation. They suggest that instead of four, two plus two actually equals twenty-two.
You explain that math doesn’t work that way, but this person has no interest in what you say. Instead, they prattle on about their answer to two plus two. Is that a meaningful conversation? If we add another person to the mix who believes that two plus two equals three, does that get us any closer to the truth? No, of course not. Such a conversation is a total waste of air. It does not bring us closer to a knowledge of the truth, and it wastes precious minutes of the life God has given us.
If wasting our life away was not bad enough, there is another danger.
Suppose you are sitting by yourself thinking about your past. As you look back on the specific events that have brought you to this point in time, you think, “Some of that stuff that happened to me was horrible. My life has been full of pain and suffering.”
This is true for most of us. Generally, there has been some pain and suffering in our lives. But what Satan does with that fact is much worse. If you have ever heard a little voice in your head saying, “God isn’t fair. You deserved better.” you are being taunted by the Deceiver.
In the same way there is only one answer to the question, “What is two plus two?,” there is only one answer to the question, “What experiences in life made you who you are?” Every other possible answer to that question is meaningless because it didn’t happen. But that is not all. Of all the other possibilities that could have happened, there are two kinds: better and worse. The Deceiver likes to point out all the ways your life could have been better and say, “See how horrible your life has been?” But while you are distracted looking at all the ways your life could have been better, you are missing all the ways it could have been worse.
Yes, as bad as our lives have been, it could have been worse. This is true for everyone on the planet. Satan would have us believe that we always deserve better. Yet, for every possible “better past” that might have been, there is another possible past that was worse than what you had.
Satan and his allies are masters of meaningless talk and deception. They point us towards illusions that do not exist. They waste our lives by getting us to wonder if things could have been better. All the while they keep us from focusing on the one thing that does make our lives better; Jesus.
Application: Stop wasting life pursuing meaningless talk and deception. Instead, turn to Jesus, now.
Food for Thought: What kind of topics are the opposite of meaningless talk and deception?
I suppose topics that focus on meaningful talk and the truth. I think they are topics that are in God’s will. Topics that relate to Him and His will for our lives. Topics that bring Him glory. Ephesians 4: 29 comes to mind.
Rich,
Thank you! Great verse!!
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.“
Nice scripture quote 👍
What kind of topics are the opposite of meaningless talk and deception?
The powers of deception have been removed and no longer have power over believers. We must separate ourselves out of this world into the Kingdom of God, living in His Spirit, as we study and apply His Word into our hearts, developing a foundation of truth which will refute, condemn and reject all meaningless and deceptive distractions from Gods will in our lives.
1. We have been called out of the world, the home of all deceit. We have repented our sins and as believers now reject the world and seek the Kingdom of God as our dwelling place.
Mark 1:15, Jeremiah 9:6, Titus 3:3
2. Believers have been given power over self-deception. We do not deceive ourselves as something when we know we are nothing. We have separated ourselves from corrupt morals and those who promote them. We now know we are from God, with the Spirit of truth, choosing to live obedient to God, rather than lies.
Galatians 6:3, 1 Corinthians 15:33, 1 John 4:6
3. We study the word of God to become doers of the word, not just hearers. The word of God allows us to see lies and to reject lies of false prophets and live in understanding of the truth rather than be misled.
Matthew 22:29, James 1:22, Matthew 24:4, Colossians 2:8
Thank you, Ron!
Anything that draws us closer to our Father and our Lord is good. Anything that distracts us from that goal, not so good.
I have a link to the verses you cited here.
I love that we are studying how to become more deeply involved in studying the Word of God and seeking the Lord’s will for our lives in Men’s Bible study this year. Getting to know God better and walking more closely with the Savior and growing to be like Him seem to me to be very positive ways to spend our time.
Things like challenging and encouraging one another in our walks and trust and faith in the Lord. Being thankful, and rejoicing in God’s goodness, being watchful for opportunities for service and witness to others. Understanding the Lord’s will for us and becoming better equipped to serve the body of Christ, and share with those who need to know the Savior as God directs and opens up opportunities all seem like useful ideas for spending our time.
I believe the Lord is honored when we ask Him to help us develop our natural talents and spiritual gifts, encourage others, see the glass as at least half full or even overflowing with opportunities and have a chance to continuously thank the Father for His faithfulness, provision, and wonderful blessings.
He is a Good Shepherd who chooses good paths, and has wonderful plans for us whether or not we seem to be presently experiencing His hand of blessing or not.
God is so good. Loving Him, and being compassionate, kind, gracious, steadfast in our faith, and diligent in our pursuit of knowing and following Him seems like a good way to possibly stay out of trouble.
The enemy of our souls may not have pleasant things planned but the Lord is sovereign and we know that He certainly wins in the end. This means we win also, because we are His adopted sons and daughters, and we will eventually be going to the place He is preparing for us and experience the blessings of His eternal presence, and His love, joy, peace and wonderful fellowship with the rest of His children. Heaven will be spectacular. I love totally Awesome, and this is who the Lord is.
In addition won’t it be wonderful to no longer have the plague of sin, temptation or unrighteousness anymore. I really look forward to it’s full eradication from our lives in a perfect place and new creation. A new redeemed, pain free, resurrected body does not sound too shabby a prospect either.
I have not taken the time to reference a lot of verses, however if it is really necessary they could be referenced. I feel from reading this blog that most or all who read this are most likely in hearty agreement.
Let’s start the New Year off with an attitude of great anticipation of what our great God can accomplish through the power of the Holy Spirit and we yield to Him and trust Him to use us as He sees fit.
I am super positive about God’s control, power, goodness, plan, ultimate victory, faithfulness, protection and willingness to make much of at least in my case the rather useless clay which my soul and spirit inhabit. It is His Spirit and power which enables us to have victory and accomplish things for His glory and Kingdom.
I am trusting with some teamwork His name can be truly glorified and His Kingdom enlarged and believers grow in their walk, faithfulness and usefulness for His purposes.
Is this something anyone else would like to see happen this coming year? I trust, hope, and believe this is God’s will and He would delight to do this.
Let me know what you all think.
May the Lord continuously bless, guide, encourage, and use each of you in a mighty way as you follow, seek and are empowered by Him to do so.
Keep the faith, share it, and may each of us be overcomers.
Jeff,
Thank you — I agree that anything that brings us closer to knowing our God is a worthwhile topic. Blessings!
Nice conversation. I’m not sure what to add, but love another in Christ.
Amen, Rob!!
🙂
Nice scripture quote 👍
Thank you Jeff and Rich I really needed to read this days blog.