Confronting Error: Upholding Truth and Unity in Christ

Conflict and confrontation are realities in every relationship—at work, at home, among friends, and even within the church. Most of us would rather avoid conflict, but avoidance often makes things worse. Scripture calls us to a different approach, especially when it comes to matters of truth and the gospel. In Paul’s letter to Titus, we see a clear charge: godly confrontation is necessary when false teaching threatens the unity and health of the church. Paul’s words are strong, describing false teachers as insubordinate, empty talkers, and deceivers who upset entire families and teach for personal gain. The responsibility of church leaders—and indeed, all believers—is to confront such error, not out of a desire to win an argument or to exclude, but to restore and protect the body of Christ.

The foundation of godly confrontation is always truth. We do not measure teachings by our preferences or traditions, but by the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ. If any teaching adds to, subtracts from, or offers an alternative to Jesus as the only way of salvation, it is false. Our task is not to become experts in every heresy, but to know the gospel so well that we can immediately recognize what is counterfeit. This is why it is so important to immerse ourselves in Scripture, to know not just the facts about Jesus, but to know Him personally and to let our lives reflect that truth.

When confrontation is necessary, the aim is always restoration. Paul instructs Titus to rebuke sharply, not out of harshness for its own sake, but because the stakes are so high—the very foundation of faith is at risk. Yet even the sharpest rebuke is an invitation to return to soundness in the faith, to be restored to unity in Christ. We must remember that people are free to respond; our role is to speak the truth in love, holding fast to the gospel and inviting others to do the same.

We must never compromise on the gospel. Preferences and traditions may change, but the truth of who Jesus is and what He has done does not. Our words and our lives must match, lest we be found professing to know God while denying Him by our actions. Let us be a people who know the gospel, who confront error with truth and love, and who live lives that bear witness to the sufficiency of Christ.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Godly Confrontation Is Rooted in Truth Confrontation within the church is not about personal preference or winning arguments, but about upholding the truth of the gospel. False teaching is identified by comparing it to the clear message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus alone. If anything is added to or taken from this, it must be confronted for the sake of the church’s health and unity. [06:16]
• 2. The Goal of Confrontation Is Always Restoration The purpose of rebuke is not to shame or exclude, but to restore those who have strayed to soundness in the faith. Even when a sharp rebuke is necessary, it is an act of love, seeking to bring people back to the truth and unity found in Christ. Restoration, not division, is always the aim of godly confrontation. [15:15]
• 3. We Must Know the Gospel Deeply to Discern Error Rather than becoming experts in every false teaching, we are called to know the gospel so intimately that we can immediately recognize what is false. Immersing ourselves in Scripture and the person of Jesus equips us to discern truth from error and to help others do the same. [32:08]
• 4. We Cannot Compromise on the Gospel The gospel is not subject to negotiation or cultural trends. We do not add to it with extra rules, nor do we subtract from it to make it more palatable. Jesus is enough—His life, death, and resurrection are sufficient for our salvation, and we must hold fast to this truth without wavering. [24:04]
• 5. Our Lives Must Match Our Profession of Faith The mark of a false teacher is the disconnect between what they say and how they live. We are called to integrity, ensuring that our actions align with our confession of faith. In doing so, we bear witness to the transforming power of the gospel and avoid the hypocrisy that undermines our message.
  
  ** [33:46]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:21] - The Importance of Engaging with Scripture
• [01:05] - Why We Avoid Conflict
• [02:29] - The Consequences of Avoiding Conflict
• [03:44] - Context: Paul’s Instructions to Titus
• [05:56] - The Role of Elders in Confronting False Teaching
• [06:47] - Characteristics of False Teachers
• [08:30] - How False Teaching Spreads
• [09:36] - The Need to Silence False Teachers
• [10:52] - Jesus’ Warning About False Teaching
• [12:52] - Testing Teaching Against the Gospel
• [14:22] - The Goal of Godly Confrontation
• [16:42] - Why Some Confrontations Must Be Sharp
• [19:39] - The Challenge of Confronting a Hard-Headed Culture
• [21:47] - Freedom to Choose: Restoration or Rejection
• [24:04] - No Compromise on the Gospel
• [28:22] - The Sufficiency of Christ
• [32:08] - Knowing the Gospel and Living It
• [34:20] - Responding to the Truth of Jesus
• [35:19] - Prayer and Response

Bible Reading

Titus 1:10-16 (ESV) — > For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in Titus 1:10-11, what are some of the characteristics and motives of the false teachers in Crete?
2. What does Paul say is the goal of rebuking or confronting these false teachers? (see verse 13)
3. How does Paul describe the difference between those who are “pure” and those who are “defiled and unbelieving” in verses 15-16?
4. In the sermon, what is the “litmus test” for identifying false teaching? [13:08]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul use such strong language to describe false teachers, and what does this reveal about the seriousness of their influence in the church? [07:21]
2. The sermon says the goal of confrontation is always restoration, not exclusion. Why is this distinction important for the health of the church? [15:41]
3. The pastor mentioned that people are “free to stay or to walk away” when confronted with truth. How does this freedom affect the way we approach confrontation and restoration? [22:49]
4. What does it mean for someone to “profess to know God, but deny him by their works”? How might this look in a church context today? [26:56]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said most people avoid conflict, even when it’s necessary. Can you think of a time when avoiding a hard conversation made things worse? What kept you from addressing it? [01:54]
2. Paul says to “rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” How do you balance being truthful and direct with being loving and restorative when you need to confront someone? [16:21]
3. The pastor gave a “litmus test” for false teaching: Does it add to, subtract from, or offer an alternative to Jesus as the only way of salvation? Have you ever encountered teaching or advice that failed this test? How did you respond? [13:08]
4. The sermon emphasized knowing the gospel deeply so we can recognize error. What is one practical way you can immerse yourself more in Scripture or the story of Jesus this month? [32:08]
5. Paul warns against hypocrisy—professing faith but denying it by actions. Are there areas in your life where your actions don’t match your beliefs? What is one step you can take this week to bring your actions and faith into alignment? [26:56]
6. The goal of confrontation is always restoration. Is there someone in your life who has strayed from truth or unity? What would it look like to lovingly invite them back, rather than just “winning” an argument? [15:41]
7. The sermon said we must never compromise on the gospel, even if preferences and traditions change. Are there areas where you’ve been tempted to compromise the core message of Jesus for the sake of comfort, acceptance, or tradition? How can you hold fast to the gospel in those situations? [24:04]