(57) Worthless Legalism

But avoid . . . strife and disputes about the Law (Titus 3:9)

The Jewish Scribes and Pharisees were notorious for spending countless hours debating the law and adding their interpretations and man-made rules to the Law. They would then dictate these rules to the people and bind them to obedience to their rules that they added to God’s Law. Many of these rules surrounded the observance of the Sabbath and issues regarding what was clean and unclean. God gave Moses two sentences, the Scribes and Pharisees had a book. They continually debated what rules they should have. On and on it went, adding to God’s commands and demanding the obedience of the people to their rules in order to be considered godly.

Paul is referring to strife, quarrels, contention, and arguments over the Law and how to put it into practice in daily life. It is when we have come to an understanding of the words and meaning of the text of scripture, and then begin adding our personal understanding of the ways the commands are to be put into practice that get more specific than the text of scripture and are used to judge and condemn others who do differently.

Paul is refering to strife, disputes, and contention about God’s Word, not in what the Word says, but in all kinds of added, man-made rules and details that are not explicitly stated in scripture; areas of application and specific rules where scripture is more general. William McDonald gives and appropriate warning to us in this regard.

Of course, there are always traps to be avoided in the Christian ministry. In Paul’s day there were stupid disputes over clean and unclean foods, Sabbath regulations, and observance of holy days. Arguments arose over genealogies, both angelic and human. There was bickering over intricate regulations that had been superimposed on the law. Paul was disgusted with them as being unprofitable and useless.

Servants of the Lord in our day may take Paul’s advice to heart by avoiding the following tangents: Pre-occupation with methods rather than with spiritual realities. For example, the ancient debates over whether to use fermented wine or grape juice, leavened or unleavened bread, a common cup or individual cups—as if these were important questions in the Bible! Quibbling over words. Majoring on one truth, or even one aspect of a truth, to the exclusion of all else. Allegorizing the Scriptures until they become absurd. Theological nit-picking that edifies no one. Wandering from the word into political by-paths and into Christian crusades against this and that. What a tragedy to spend precious time on these things while a world is perishing!

Paul says in Colossians 2 that we think our man-made regulations and rules are wise but they have no power to control the flesh. It makes sense to us that when we see that God’s Word gives a command that we need to carefully assure we don’t violate the command in any way. And some go to extremes, almost in a paranoid fear that some minute practice could possibly violate that law. And so, a new command is issued to forbid that minute practice to assure that God’s command is not broken. It seems to make sense, and yes, we do need to personally assure for ourselves that we are putting God’s commands into practice, but it becomes dangerous and harmful when it leads to extremes and then is viewed as universal for all believers to follow.

Too often, believers establish personal, man-made rules and “standards” and seek to make other believers live by their rules. We get the mistaken notion that when we have discerned before God how He would have us specifically put His Word into practice, that we have to tell everyone else and insist they follow the same practices we do. And we harm and discourage others by putting our rules on others; rules that are not commanded in scripture.

This form of legalism becomes oppressive, and discouraging. We raise our rules to the same level of scripture and demand that others follow and live by our rules. We think we have a higher standard than others because we are more restrictive and in truth, it is simply a different standard that is not a biblical standard at all.

J. Hampton Keathley, III explains that this would also refer to “an exchange of words rather than a genuine search for truth.” Paul is not talking about discussion about what the Word of God says . . . what does this word mean?. . . what is the context of this passage? . . . what does this passage mean? These things are good and necessary. We need to discuss and debate what scripture says to understand it accurately. Our goal in discussing God’s Word should always be to discover truth, not just stir up an argument or prove our point which amounts to another form of worthless legalism.
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Next: (58) Responding to Worthless Chatter & Legalism -- Steer Clear of the Conversations

(56) The Discourager’s Discourse – Worthless Chatter Pt. 2

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,11knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.

(Titus 3:9-11 NAU)

A second aspect to what Paul is describing here is speculations. The Jewish rabbis would take one little fact and add to it and add to it and find meaning and significance that really wasn’t there.

For us, this takes the form of talking about things when we really don’t know the facts, assigning meaning and motives to things, often twisting the facts. This often takes the form of gossip.

We see someone do something or hear one fact and then draw conclusions, “He did this, and that must mean he did this and thinks that. And if he did that, well then, he must think this too and he probably did the other thing also.” On and on it goes, we spin our yarns just like the rabbis interpreting and adding to facts – facts which we probably don’t even fully know the meaning of in the first place. And soon we have a big story and its spread around and people say, “I know this happened, “ for facts.”

Not only does this destroy people’s reputation, but, even when the stories aren’t about you, when you’re around this regularly it can be oppressing and discouraging. If you are guilty of it, you are being oppressive and discouraging to others.

The third and final element of the worthless chatter Paul is describing involves sensationalism. Here, it is man’s tenancy to gravitate toward the exciting and exaggerated, making a big deal out of things that really aren’t that serious. It involves filling every situation with unnecessary added drama.

With some people, everything's a problem or concern. Things are twisted and exaggerated to make more out of it than there really is. Dramatic words are used to add intensity to the conversation.

Not all sensationalism is damaging, sometimes, some of this can be harmless and not meant to be believed. Many times it becomes annoying, oppressive, quite harmful and discouraging. I have known a good number of people through the years who have become deeply discouraged and even dropped out of ministry in their local church, some staying home from church because of the oppressive nature of worthless chatter – superstitions, speculations, and sensationalism.


Before we move on to the second aspect of discouraging discourse, we need to pause and evaluate, “Am I guilty of worthless chatter?” We need to assure that we are not part of the problem. So, I ask you, are you prone toward superstitions that lead you to tell others what they should and shouldn’t do? Are you guilty of speculating about things you hear or see and then adding your ideas of the thinking and motives of others? Are you guilty of sensationalism, exaggerating a story, adding drama to it, or in some other way making it bigger than it really is?

Let’s make sure we are part of the solution, not a part of the problem! Let’s make sure we don’t oppress others with our rules and practices built on superstitions. Let’s make sure we don’t speculate about the actions of others and their motives. Let’s be sure we aren’t guilty of blowing things out of proportion and making everything a big deal.
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Next: (57)  Worthless Legalism

(55) The Discourager’s Discourse – Worthless Chatter

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning,11knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11 NAU)

Before we look at Paul’s solutions for dealing with the discouragers in our lives, we need to look at how he describes their discouraging behavior. Paul says to avoid “foolish controversies and genealogies.” “Foolish controversies” refers to questioning, debating, and arguing about things that are mere speculations and hypotheticals not related to or rooted in real, cold, hard facts or what is in scripture. It is characterized by a lot of "I think," "Maybe," It involves drawing conclusions and forming opinions, even passing judgement based on guessing, not real facts.

[Foolish controversies and genealogies] concerned Jewish legendary and fictitious tales added to Old Testament history, legends about Adam, Moses, Elijah, and other Old Testament saints. But somehow fictitious additions were added to the genealogical trees of these and other Old Testament saints. (J. Hampton Keathley, III)

Paul is talking about made up stories and exaggerations or twisting of actual events. These foolish controversies were based on speculations and myths related to the genealogies of the Old Testament.

As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. (1 Timothy 1:3-4 NAU)

The expression "myths and genealogies" is one. It must not be divided, as if Paul were thinking, on the one hand, of myths, and on the other, of genealogies.... As to material contents these myths concern genealogical narratives that were largely fictitious.

Here we have been introduced into the realm of typically Jewish lore. It is a known fact that from early times the rabbis would "spin their yarns" - and endless yarns they were! – on the basis of what they considered some "hint" supplied by the Old Testament. They would take a name from a list of pedigrees (for example, From Genesis, I Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah), and expand it into a nice story. (William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, New Testament Commentary)

So, the rabbis would take a little fact and add to it and make a big exaggerated story out of it. And so, it is comments and conversation that has no spiritual value in helping someone else know or grow in Christ. Paul describes this as unprofitable and worthless.

What is our “worthless chatter?” Well, one aspect of what Paul is referring to here is superstitions, myths, or “old wive’s tales” about “bad luck” and what can harm you. These issues are not about morality or real wisdom. They are not based on scripture, founded upon science or rooted in any sound logic or accurate facts.

I lived in Nassau, Bahamas for over six years. One of the superstitions I heard there was that if you go out in a boat on Good Friday you’ll break down or sink. Some people feel very strongly about this and will warn others not to do it. I can picture someone planning their boat outing for Good Friday and a superstitious friend or family member warning them and hounding them in the days before trying to get them to cancel their plans.

Other superstitions I recall hearing as warnings have been, “If you get your hair wet in the rain you have to wipe down in alcohol.” “You can't go to bed with your hair wet or without a shirt on.” “If you walk on cold tile without socks on you'll get sick.”

Sometimes these things are spoken as a joke, not to be taken seriously. Other times they are spoken as rules. They are preached as something that must be followed. And so, you can feel boxed in by these superstitions; it can become oppressive and discouraging.
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Next: (56) The Discourager’s Discourse – Worthless Chatter Pt. 2

(54) Dealing with Discouragers - Introduction

Everyone faces criticism, even some of the greatest men in history. Ben Franklin is reported to have said, "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Dale Carnegie was a bit more gentle, saying, "Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving."

We may not be guilty of making negativity, grumbling & complaining a way of life, but all of us can be guilty of it from time to time or in certain situations. Then there's some people who just don't seem to have anything positive to say. They are known for being negative, finding fault, complaining and grumbling.

We'll hear criticism from people because we didn't do it the way they would, we don't do it as good as they would, we don't do it as much as they think we should, we don't live by their rules, we don't believe the way we do in non essential doctrine or practice, and, we can never seem to measure up to their standard.

It can be quite difficult not to become discouraged when you're around constant or oppressive chatter, negativity & pessimism, exaggerations, someone who always has something to say about the right way to do things, or regular criticism, complaining & grumbling. It is annoying, frustrating, oppressive and it just get's you down. It becomes deflating and discouraging! But there is a way to handle it. Paul gives us some valuable instruction on how to deal with this type of thing in Titus 3.

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11 NAU)

Paul talks here about "foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law" This was the nature of the problem comments and conversations of his day and is actually a pretty good description of what leads us to discouragement today.  Over the next several blog posts, we'll see how this fits with our situations today and how to handle the discoragers in our lives.
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Next: (55) The Discourager’s Discourse – Worthless Chatter

(53) Defeating Discouragement With Others - Conclusion

It’s a fact of life . . . people let us down! We rely on them for things and they don’t come through. They make mistakes, do annoying things, they blow it. They don’t keep their promises, forget, fail and frustrate. They don’t do things the way we would like them to do them. They don’t think the way we think.

And so we can become frustrated by other people . . . irritated . . . impatient . . . discouraged. Sometimes we feel like it’s no use trying because other people just keep seeming to blow it.

There’s another fact of life . . . we let people down! People rely on us for things and we don’t come through. We make mistakes, do annoying things, we blow it. We don’t keep our promises, we forget, fail and frustrate others. We don’t do things the way others would like us to do them. We don’t think the way they think.

And so others can become frustrated with us . . . irritated . . . impatient . . . discouraged. Sometimes they feel like it’s no use trying because we just keep seeming to blow it?

We live in a fallen world with people just like us who are imperfect. If we will just be humble enough to see our own faults, we won’t be as quick to take note of the faults of others. And we won’t be discouraged with others nearly as much.

Victory over discouragement with others is not a matter of change in them. It is a matter of me changing. If the people around me have to change for me to gain victory over discouragement, I will probably never have victory. We have seen three important steps we must take if we are going to live in victory.

First, we have learned that I need to remember my calling in Christ. I need to remember that all I am and all I have that is of any true good or value is a gift of God’s grace. I also need to remember that I am called to be God’s representative to others to help them grow to become like Christ by serving and ministering to them.

Second, I need to focus on my responsibility to reflect the character of Christ. If I am intent of demonstrating Christlikeness to others, I will see how much growth I need. Then, I will grow in demonstrating love, patience, and forbearance. And, I will find that I’m not so frustrated and discouraged with others.

Finally, I need to respond with the conduct of Christ. This means that I will focus to acting in kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness. Instead of putting people down because they get me down, I will concentrate on finding ways to build them up. Rather then getting discouraged with them, I will seek to encourage them.
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Next: (54) Dealing With Discouragers - Introduction

(52) Respond with the Character of Christ - Forgiveness

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if someone happens to have a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.

(Colossians 3:12-13 NET)

The Greek word for forgiveness here is charizomai, The Greek word "grace" is charis, and has the same form as this word. So, the meaning is "to show one's self gracious, kind and benevolent in granting forgiveness." The present tense of the verb makes it plain that this forgiveness is to be unceasing, even inexhaustible. We can never stop forgiving.

God commands us to freely and generously forgive others when they offend us, let us down, keep blowing it, criticize and condemn us, or just get on our nerves. We are to keep doing this as often as necessary, even when they don’t deserve it and keep on failing.

Sometimes this is very difficult, especially if we have really been let down hard or it is a repeated issue. You feel like the offence is just too great or they’ve done it one too many times. “Enough is enough,” you say, “I’m done with them, I give up.” You begin to think you are right in not forgiving them. Or, you know you should but you just can’t find it in you to do it.

Selwyn Hughes gives us good advice on how to develop a heart of forgiveness.

When people say to me during a counseling session, "My problem is that I can't forgive," I usually respond by saying, "No, that's not your problem. Your problem is that you don’t know how much you have been forgiven."

Paul says here in Colossians 3 that we are to forgive, “just as the Lord has forgiven you.” This phrase could be translated: “according as,” “just as,” “in proportion to” or, “to the degree that.” In other words, we are to forgive others because God forgave us, to the degree that He forgave us, and in the same way that God forgave us. Our forgiveness must be a forgiveness that is full, free, and complete.

You say, “That’s impossible.” I say, you are already defeating yourself and denying the truth of the Word of God and, in effect, calling God a liar. He has clearly told us His grace is sufficient for us to do as He commands and He tells us that “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and Godliness through the knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:3)” So, to say I can’t forgive like God forgave me is to call God a liar because He says His power is within me to do it. What I am really saying is that I refuse to believe God and I refuse to do what He tells me to do.

Don’t get me wrong, I know this is not easy. I have known times when I felt like every fiber of my being was saying, “I can’t forgive this, it hurts too much.” But then, I must decide if I will believe my feelings or believe God? Will I obey my emotions or will I obey God? Will I fight against God by refusing to forgive and so, become as bad a sinner as the one I choose not to forgive?

Here’s a simple exercise to help you forgive. You may do it in your head, but if you still struggle with forgiving, put it on paper. First, list the sins that the person that you struggle to forgive has committed against you. You may even write down the things that are not sins, just irritations if you like. You may need a full sheet of paper for this but probably not.

Next, take out a ream of paper – that’s 500 sheets. Start writing down all the sins you have committed against God – you can leave out the ignorant mistakes. Actually, don’t try to remember all the ones you’ve committed in your lifetime. That would be far too difficult and take way too much time. Just stick with the last year. Now, think hard, and be sure to list them all. Don’t forget the times you did things without consulting God first. The unkind or unthoughtful words to others. The lustful, covetous, greedy, unkind, mean, and ungodly thoughts need to be listed too. Oh, and don’t forget the positive things you neglected to do. You know, like read your Bible, pray, share your faith, demonstrate the glory of God to others. Get the picture? Do you really need to complete this exercise?

You have been forgiven innumerable times for repeated offenses by God. Before God, you are a major failure! But you are a failure who, in Christ, is forgiven freely by His grace. How can you withhold forgiveness from someone else because of the comparatively petty, insignificant offence against you? Forgive. Forgive just like God has forgiven you!
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Next: (53) Putting on the Character & Conduct of Christ - Conclusion