Titus 2 Be an example Part 22

 Titus 2:7-8

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned so that those who oppose you may not be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

People often pay more attention to your actions than to what you say. As the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words”. If you want someone to heed your words about Christian living, you need to live out the very words you’re teaching. Your life will reinforce your words and what you’re teaching and will “earn” you the right to be heard.

Paul urges Titus to be a good example so that others will see the word being active in his life and imitate him. He urges him to teach the truth with integrity and seriousness so that he can avoid criticism. Careful study of the Bible and listening before we speak is especially important when teaching others or confronting moral or spiritual issues. Just as the previous verse reminds us to be self-controlled, Titus is encouraged to exercise self-control in everything. If we have no self-control it could lead to arguments instead of learning. There cannot be a gap between what you teach and what you do. You must live and be who God wants you to be. Paul wants Titus to be exemplary in speech, life, faith and purity. His teaching is to be marked by integrity and so, indeed, must ours be. Your motivation must be right, your manner serious and your lifestyle must coincide with your message. When our lives are lived for Christ, there will be a stark contrast to the lives of the unbelievers. We must not conform to the world but be transformed by the gospel. In all things, we must glorify God and magnify His word so that the world cannot use our words against us or malign the word of God. Be a light in this dark world!

1. Where else in the Bible does it teach us to be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity?

2. Look up 1 Peter 2:12 and Matthew 5:16. What does this teach us about why we must be an example?

3. What does 1 Peter 3:15-17 teach us about being an example for the world?

4. What does 2 Timothy 3:16-4:5 teach us about how the message will be received and how we ought to act?

Gracious God and Lord of life, I come before you in thankfulness for the grace and love you have given me. Thank-you for giving us Your word and teaching us how we ought to live. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I might be an example of Christian living in all I say and do. Forgive me when and where I fall short and help me to do better. All this I ask, not because I am worthy but through the grace and gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. Amen.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Desiring Children Part 1

Image
Read Genesis 16, and Genesis 18:1-15 The desire for children is something many struggle with. Some struggle to get pregnant, some struggle with the loss of pregnancies, and some struggle with the lack of control over having children. These are not new difficulties but have been the struggles of many women dating all the way back to Biblical times. While I personally never struggled with getting pregnant, I wrestled with the desire for and the loss of children. I know the constant anxiety of wondering if each month was the one I'd get pregnant in; many times, I cried out to God to let me have a child to hold and keep. Nine times I prayed that God would let each child live. Nine times I was denied, and my child was called to our heavenly home. The desire for children is something most people eventually feel at some point but most take for granted that it will all go as they expect. We simply don't think of all that can go wrong, until it does. You're not alone in your strugg...
Read more

Cleanse me, oh God!

Image
As a child, I often liked to play outside. Like many kids, I liked making mud pies and playing with dirt. There's several ways children will play; some get right down on their hands and knees or even sit right in the mud. They're not afraid to get dirty. Some, like me, liked to play with the mud but didn't really want to get filthy. I would crouch down and use sticks and occasionally use my hands. I wanted to have fun but didn't really want to get messy. Then, there are still other children who don't want to play with mud or have anything to do with getting dirty. But you can never truly avoid all puddles, especially when it's raining. In a way, you can compare the mud to sin. Some people wallow in their sin, loving every minute and not caring how dirty they get. Others want to have the fun and pleasure sin can bring but don't want to get too dirty. It's just a little fun. And then there are those who, by God's grace, strive to live a life apart from...
Read more

In the moments of grief

 Moments. Every time I’m confronted with death I think about this word: moments. Moments of joy, moments of sorrow, moments in love or angry or frustrated moments. The moment of birth, the moment of death, and all the moments in between. Death reminds me that all moments are God-given. He gives us moments in time that are unforgettable or that perhaps we’ve lost in the hurry and busyness of life. What do you do with the moments He gives you? Every one of them is important. God wants all our moments. He wants us to live all our moments to His praise and glory. Whether rejoicing in the good times or crying in the sad. Because even in the sad moments we have reason to rejoice. Christ gave us moments to remember and be thankful for. The moment He was born into this sinful world, the moments He healed the sick, walked with sinners, wept for His friends, prayed to the Father, bore our cross and sin, and the moments He, in love, hung on a cross and died for us. But we also remember the mo...
Read more