I. INTRODUCTION
A. The apostle Paul wrote his letter to Titus in order to instruct him in his work with the Cretans.
1. At some point following his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul had travelled to the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete presumably to preach the gospel and build up the churches there.
2. Paul had left Titus, who was a Greek convert to Christ (Gal. 2:3), to organize the churches in each Cretan city. Paul’s letter to Titus gave specific directions for carrying out this assignment.
B. Presently, let us consider Paul’s testimony about the Cretans and notice how Americans have unfortunately come to resemble these ancient people.
1. Paul’s estimation of the Cretans is not very flattering, but it was necessary for Titus to have a practical understanding of the people to whom he was ministering.
2. If we Americans share the traits of the Cretans, then the same methods of ministry should be used to deal with us as were used to deal with them.
II. TRUE TESTIMONY ABOUT THE CRETANS
A. Paul summarized the character of the Cretans by quoting an ancient poem.
1. Notice Titus 1:12 – “One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’”
2. This quotation came from a poem entitled Cretica by Epimenides.
a. Epimenides was a famous sixth century B.C. Greek philosopher, poet, and supposed seer from the city of Grossus on the island of Crete.
b. The quotation is taken from a section of the poem in which Minos, king of Crete, addressed the chief Greek god Zeus about the Cretans’ disbelief in him. Minos said:
They fashioned a tomb for thee, O holy and high one—
The Cretans, always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies!
But thou art not dead: thou livest and abidest forever,
For in thee we live and move and have our being.
c. This poem was well known among the Greeks, and Paul even quoted from it in Athens when he preached the gospel on Mars’ Hill (Acts 17:28). Evidently, Paul thought that quoting this poem was an effective way to communicate with the Greeks.
3. Even though the context of this poem did not exactly fit the gospel message, Paul used the famous poem to demonstrate to Titus how the Cretans were indeed notorious for their bad character.
a. By the first century, “to act the Cretan” had become an idiom meaning “to utter a lie.”
b. Consider the specific characteristics that were associated with the Cretans.
i. By the context of Paul’s letter, it seems that the charge that Cretans were liars had more to do with the spreading of lies rather than the invention of lies. They were easily deceived (gullible) to believe a lie and therefore spread it to others.
ii. To call them evil beasts was an indication of their pursuit of sensual gratification rather than spiritual satisfaction. Men who neglect their spiritual beings are reduced to mere beasts that live for physical pleasures.
iii. It naturally follows that men who are as evil beasts would also be lazy gluttons. Without a sense of spirituality to motivate them to be diligent, they became idle and indulged their physical appetites.
c. It was necessary for Titus to understand these things about the Cretans in order for him to work effectively with them and be on guard against their weaknesses.
B. Because this poetic testimony about the Cretans was true, Paul advised Titus to reprove them severely.
1. Notice Paul’s advice in Titus 1:13-14 – “This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth.”
2. Because of the Cretans’ propensity for believing lies, they needed to be severely reproved to steer them away from false teachers who would lead them astray.
a. Paul had acknowledged the dangerous, deceitful culture of the Cretans by saying, “For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain” (Tit. 1:10-11).
b. This was the reason that the church needed strong elders who would hold “fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that {they} will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Tit. 1:9).
3. Of course, Cretans who had converted to Christ would have repented of these evil characteristics, but they would still be susceptible to falling back into the old ways of their perverse culture.
III. THE NEW CRETANS
A. Sadly, the American culture has come to reflect the bad character of the Cretans.
1. There is a growing international opinion that Americans are, to put it bluntly, “fat, lazy, and stupid.” Other nations’ opinions of us would be of little concern if there was no truth to it, but, unfortunately, it is true to a large degree.
2. Let us make a comparison between ancient Cretan culture and modern American culture.
a. Cretans were liars and tended to be deceived easily. Likewise, many Americans are completely deceived by popular culture, the mainstream news media, and government propaganda. This is evident in the widespread approval of evolution, humanism, revisionist history, and godless legislation. (Our enslavement to mindless television programs carries much of the blame for such brainwashing.)
b. Cretans were called “evil beasts.” Likewise, many Americans have abandoned genuine spirituality in favor of carnality, and they live as if there is no life beyond this world. This is evident in the levels of materialism, immorality, homosexuality, abortion, violence, etc. Even churches have been corrupted so that their main business has become carnal entertainment and recreation.
c. Cretans were called “lazy gluttons.” Likewise, many Americans have lost the drive to be diligent, hard-working, and productive as they live in pursuit of one indulgence after another. This is evident in the rapidly increasing rates of obesity due to gluttony and the growing expectations of entitlements that have replaced the nation’s work ethic.
3. The similarities between our nation and the notorious ancient Cretans should alarm all of us and motivate us to do whatever we can correct the spiritual problems of ourselves and our fellow citizens.
B. Therefore, let us counteract the poor characteristics of American culture in the same way that the poor characteristics of the Cretans were counteracted.
1. To bring sound faith to the Cretans, Paul commended severe reproof.
a. This reproof was to be offered according to “the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching” and “fitting for sound doctrine” (Tit. 1:9; 2:1).
b. Notice Titus 2:15 – “These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
c. Consider 2Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
2. For sound faith to be widespread in our nation, severe reproof will have to be widespread.
a. Softly peddling a diluted gospel message will not bring anyone to a soundness of faith and salvation in Jesus Christ. Instead, it will require bold, unapologetic denunciations of evil and sin by all who profess the gospel of Christ.
b. Let us realize that the bad characteristics of our nation cannot be solved by government interventions. These are spiritual character issues that cannot be legislated. They can only be solved by genuine repentance that comes from hearing the reproof of God’s word and believing it (Acts 2:36-38; 2Cor. 7:8-12).
IV. CONCLUSION
A. These instructions to Titus are tremendously useful for us today, for the world does not change. Whether it was in ancient Crete, in the modern United States, or at any time in any place in the world, the world will be worldly.
B. The good news for us is that Christians were able to thrive in the Cretan culture, so Christians can thrive in modern American culture as well.
C. Therefore, let us heed the advice of Paul to Titus and do everything within our power to promote the cause of Christ in our nation.