HOW CHRISTIAN WOMEN ARE TO ACT (Titus 10)
READ: Titus 2:3-8
The truth of Scripture is to be taught so people can apply it to their lives and become more like Christ. This will draw others to Him for their good and God’s glory. Paul tells Titus to teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled and sound in faith, in love and in endurance (Titus 2:1-2). Paul also applies this to women.
The older, more spiritually mature women are also to be taught how to apply God’s truth to their lives (Titus 2:3-5). They, too, are to show Jesus by their character and actions (Titus 2:3 “Likewise”). As examples, Paul states they are to be “reverent in the way they live,” meaning they are to live holy, godly lives. This means they are “not to be slanderers” by gossiping, criticizing and talking about others. Some people become preoccupied with others’ lives and pass judgment on everything others do. Unfortunately there is no grace shown to others. This negative attitude comes from bitterness in their hearts. This is the way the Pharisees treated Jesus.
Additionally, a godly trait of mature women is that they are “not addicted to much wine” because it is a bad testimony and not good for their health. Proverbs has much to say against drunkenness (Proverbs 21:17; 23:20-21,31; 31:4,6). Today there are many more substances a person can become addicted to such as drugs and even caffeine in coffee, sodas and chocolate. Lot is a clear example of the dangers of becoming drunk (Genesis 19:30-38).
Instead of turning to gossip or alcohol, godly women should ”teach what is good” (Titus 2:3). That means instructing other women in what is helpful for them. Mature women, when their children are grown and gone, should be occupied mentoring younger women, especially helping them to grow as wives and mothers (“husbands and children” Titus 2:4). Also they must help younger women grow in “self-control” (Titus 2:5) so they have sensible, good judgment. Other important traits for women to pass on to others include being “pure” (holy in thoughts and actions in a culture on Crete where immorality was common), “busy at home” (home and family their top priority, now going from place-to-place gossiping and drinking alcohol), “kind” (not harsh or difficult) and “subject to their husbands” (not wild or a bad testimony to others).
Paul said all this is important not only for the women themselves, but for their Christian testimony to others: “so that no one will malign the word of God.” If the church in Crete is to help others find the peace and joy that only Jesus can bring, they need to show those traits in their everyday life to attract others to Jesus.
The young women are to do the things listed above that Paul as pointed out, and young men are also to be a good testimony for Jesus in how they live (Titus 2:6). The characteristic Paul emphasizes for younger men is “self-control.” This Greek word is used 4 times in this passage (verses 2,4,5,6) indicating the importance of self-restraint in all Christians, whatever their age. Many younger men hurt others and harm their own reputations and lives by impulsively doing whatever seems pleasurable at the moment. Titus was to keep warning his people about this, and by setting an example of self-control himself (Titus 1:7). As leaders, people watch us closely and learn more from what we do than what we say. When our actions don’t line up with what we say, others will see us as hypocrites and not pay attention to what we teach or preach.
We, like Titus, are to set an example that backs up our teaching so people will learn “integrity,” “seriousness” and “sound speech” so Christians will have a good testimony and unbelievers can’t mock Jesus (Titus 2:7-8). (October 16, 2023 Doylestown, PA)
PAUL’S ADVICE: Christian men and women must live in a godly way that brings glory to Jesus.
Deuteronomy 12:32 Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.
If you were teaching a new Christian how to live for Jesus, what advice would you give? List three specific characteristics that are most important.
How would you evaluate yourself on these three?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
Copyright © 2023