October 27 - More Self Control

As a pastor, Titus must face many different people of different ages. Other than preaching sound doctrine, Titus also must teach the people in the church how to behave and live their Christian lives. Correct doctrine must produce righteous living or the doctrine is of no value. Here, Paul tells Titus how to exhort the older men, the older women, the young women and the young men in order that the Word of God may not be reviled.

Man and woman, young and old, are very inclusive, referring to everyone there at the church. By hearing what Paul had to say about all four groups, one thing does stand out: self-control. This can cover all four groups of people and is the key to every kind of right behavior among believers.

For the older men, they were to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love and in steadfastness. The more mature one is, the more self-control one has to exercise. Many older men are stubborn because they think they are experienced in life and know much more than the younger ones. Throughout their lives, they have formed habits and routines that are hard to break. They must control that side of their lives in order to live out the Christian faith and love.

For the older women, they must be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good and train the younger women in living out their faith. Older women can be out of control in their gossips and slanders of other people. Being experienced in life, they can easily see others with prejudices without much proof. They are also in danger of addiction to behavior (like gossiping) or substance (like wine), thereby lost their freedom in Christ.

 to learn and be humble. The key again is to control their pride and youthful vigor. Do you have self-control? Submit yourself to the Holy Spirit now and ask God for strength to rule over your flesh.