I don’t hear anybody teaching about the importance of sound Bible teaching.

So I can assume that being sure about what the Scriptures say isn’t nearly as important as what the plumber says about a leaking toilet, or what the Schwab advisor says about a portfolio.

And that baffles me.  Because, behind every offer to increase prosperity usually lies enough reliable information to form a sufficient opinion about the competency of that offer. Of course, sometimes we have to dig deep, but getting accurate information only makes sense.

So I found it interesting that the apostle Paul, in a letter to his “true child in a common faith,” Titus, stated that being sensible was essential for maintaining sound teaching among the congregations at Crete. According to Paul, Titus had a job to do:

“For this reason I left you [Titus] in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you…For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound teaching and to refute those who contradict.”  [vss. 1:5,7-9]  [my emphasis]

[σωφρόνως: sensible, according to good sense, showing self-control]

According to this passage, sensibleness was a primary attribute needed to be an effective elder in Christ’s Body.  Without it, his ability to exhort, teach or refute those who contradicted the truth would have been compromised.  Apparently, there were some Jews in the church at Crete who were teaching things that weren’t true.

A few sentences later, Paul wrote that he relied on Titus’ proficiency to articulate the need for a sound understanding of the Scriptures—leaving no “unsensible” stone unturned:

“But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound teaching. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.  Likewise urge the young men to be sensible…”  [vss.2: 1-6]   [my emphasis]

So, would it be safe to say that making sense is a Scriptural mandate?

I also have a hunch that if Jesus Christ’s disciple doesn’t have the right stuff to verify what he’s being taught, he’s probably willing to buy whatever anybody throws at him.  And it seems that getting together with other men on a regular basis to confirm what he hears might make good sense.

Because if he’s unable to discern truth from fiction, he’s liable to perish in his fantasy.

Am I making sense?

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.  These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. [Titus 2:11-15]  [my emphasis]