You'll Know Them by Their Deeds

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Titus 1:15–16

The early Christian church on the island of Crete had a problem. It was overrun with false teachers. And these verses from the end of Titus 1 give us a hint that these false teachers probably followed some special commands about what food they ate. And no doubt their adherence to these strict rules probably made them seem real holy, but they weren’t. Paul says “they claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”

So, they claimed to know God but Paul casts doubt on their salvation. Why? Because their actions don’t line up with their profession. Remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount. 

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:15-20)

Jesus said that the way to spot a false teacher is by their deeds. You will know them by their fruit. But you have to test them!

The application for us is apparent. Be a fruit Inspector! Before you date someone? Before you join someone’s Bible Study. Before you join someone’s church. You need to inspect their fruit. You should be looking at their life to see if their actions line up with their words, to see if they behave like a Christ-follower should. You need to put them to the test and see if they are the real deal or not. Don’t give someone influence over your life, don’t let someone become your pastor or your teacher, don’t allow someone to shape your beliefs or your character until you have inspected the fruit of their life and beliefs. Fruit doesn’t lie. If someone is living an unholy, detestable, disobedient life, then don't give them influence over yours. Learn to inspect the fruit in someone's life before you let them speak into yours.