LEARNING DAILY

Titus 2:7-8, In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say to you.

In chapter two of Titus, Paul is giving advice to Titus about the proper order to be maintained and gives advice about living a godly life. He has given Titus specific instructions to pass on to the older men and women who were to instruct the younger men, women, and slaves. This instruction was for Titus to be sure he was teaching sound doctrine; if you go back to verse 1 you will notice that the people were to live a disciplined life. They were to live a life worthy of respect by encouraging others to live a Christ-centered life. Look at the instructions and notice that they centered in self-control; the older men and women were to be examples to the younger ones. That is the same way Believers should be living today in order for others to see and want to know what makes them different.

Living a self-controlled life is the focus of today’s blog. Self-control is self-restraint that the Holy Spirit empowers every Believer within order to resist impulsive behavior and to not go to places he/she ought not to go. He also helps the Believer to control their tongue when that needs to be done. Verses 7-8 give specific instructions Believers today should be encouraged to follow. Paul lists characteristics that are important for Believers today.

The teachings begin with the understanding that Titus (Can it be understood in the rest of this writing that using Titus’ name is a reference to every Believer today?) should study the Word of God carefully so that all who saw him would see his spiritual growth. Others watch and want to see how one behaves after committing their life to Christ; they want to see if the change, the commitment is real. The first trait Paul lists is integrity which refers to soundness, purity, incorruptible, doing what you will say you will do. It is living or doing what you believe, not just talking about it. Different versions of the Bible use the term dignity with integrity. The idea is to live with honor and respect that should be given to others, which in turn should gain the respect from others. This lifestyle includes how one treats their spouse, their children, others, the things they say, and so much more.

Paul writes briefly about sound speech. Paul wrote to Tmothy that, “Believers should be an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity”. The idea behind Paul writing about one’s speech is so anyone who attacked them for what they say might be ashamed. Peter wrote somewhat the same thing in 1 Peter 3:15-16, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed”. (Another page of the blog another day.) Both Peter and Paul are writing Believers are to live in such a way that when anyone attacks their character will embarrass themselves in the eyes of others.

I pray that reading this will help all Believers to be encouraged to know and understand the reasons for their beliefs. As Paul directed Titus to study so others would see his spiritual growth, be encouraged to apply that to your life. I believe the importance of that will become more and more evident in the days ahead! This is about standing strong in your faith and being able to communicate the truth of God’s Word to those who doubt or oppose it; someone may even just want to know what it is about you that is different. Be ready for that because God might just lead someone to you with that question.

Stand strong in your faith. It will make it very difficult for opponents to say anything negative about you – at least that can be proven to be correct.