Keeping the bar as high as we can!

Scripture Read: Scripture Read: Titus 2:1-5 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

Application:  There is a great principle here that I see can apply to anyone. It lifts the bar of our behavior to the highest level. The roles mentioned here “older men”, and “older women” covers all walks of life and even most ages. If you are 20 but have teenagers watching you, or if you are in High School but have kids in elementary watching you, the principle Paul communicates here applies. In essence every person should be the example that Paul is describing here. There are two reason for this. First, every other individual that we are connected to deserve to be treated as such. Second, the testimony of the Lord can become a great driving factor in our behavior. Reality being what it is, due to the sin nature we all possess, we need encouragement to focus our mind in a way that will spur us on to aspire to be what we should be. When we add what Paul does – the testimony of Your Word Lord, the bar is raised. The inner man in us – the new man – has a drive from the Holy Spirit to protect, love and honor our Lord and His reputation. When we see that goal, the drive to yield to the Spirit and His enabling becomes a powerful force against the flesh. We all wish we would be what we should be “just because”, but we thank You oh God that You have given these principles to help strengthen us. We would never want to bring Your Word into ridicule or shame by our behavior. This is what it means to be an Ambassador. Many believers struggle at times with accusations from the demonic realm that mock them as Your children based on their private life. We sense shame and sorrow for that. Yet but even in that realm this principle can be an encourager to us. We want to glorify You in front of man and spirit beings. So even when no one physical is around to see how we live we can keep before us that we would not want to dishonor You or Your Word before the Angelic, or demonic realm. Holy Spirit we pray that You keep this ever before us. We sense such great joy when we bring our Lord glory by allowing our character to reflect His. Thank You for Your coming alongside us and enabling us. God words cannot express our love for You!

* Meditation Questions: Do you ever think you are completely alone? Who’s image are you most concerned about, yours or His? How many people in the Bible looked good on the outside but were ugly on the inside? What did Jesus say about such people? Did you know the enemy lies to you about God, but doesn’t have to lie to God about you? What does that show? 

Becoming a “principled” person

Scripture Read: Titus 2:1-5 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

 

Application: Though the scripture gives us much freedom in how we live, it is important to note that it does give clear principles to how we do it. Yes, the liberty You have given us Lord gives us great flexibility in what we can or cannot do. As usual You show Your wisdom Lord – instead of dictating a list of dos and don’ts, You give us principles that cover all that we do. Notice the words to describe this man …

Temperate - νηφάλιος nēphálios; to be sober. Sober, temperate, self–controlled, especially in respect to wine. It is that state of mind which is free from the excessive influence of passion, lust or emotion.

Dignified - σεμνός semnós; to worship, venerate. Venerable, reverend, reputable, dignified. Semnós represents not only earthly dignity but that which is derived from a higher citizenship, a heavenly one, which is the possession of all believers. There lies something of majestic and awe–inspiring qualities in semnós which does not repel but rather invites and attracts

Sensible - σώφρων sṓphrōn; from sṓos sound, and phrḗn understanding. Discreet, sober, temperate, self–disciplined in one’s freedom, self–restrained in all passions and desires.

Sound - ὑγιαίνω hugiaínō; sound, healthy. To be healthy, sound - Metaphorically of persons, to be sound in the faith, meaning firm, pure in respect to Christian doctrine and life - uncorrupted ^[1]

The standard is high but very clear – the idea of being “free from excessive” is really important. A believer should know how to be moderate. Whenever we are not it leads to sin. Notice; “dignified” is not snobby or arrogant, but attractive, which means you can still be a relaxed person, but understanding how to behave in the particular surroundings that you find yourself in would be important. Disciplined in one’s freedoms is the essential stewardship of liberties. Lastly, uncorrupted in faith, in love and in perseverance. This will be expressed in trusting God with a sincere love and a no quit attitude. All of these equate to a hope that most in the world are looking for. When they see this in us they will ask us the reason for our hope. We should be ready to tell them about You Lord – how You have made all the difference in our life. Holy Spirit of God make us people like this!

* Meditation Questions: When you look in the mirror, what kind of person do you see honestly? If you were to ask the 3 people closest to you what would they say? How much time do you spend thinking about what you can or cannot do versus how much time you spend thinking about how you do things? Do you respect others weaknesses, cultures, traditions? How does that show itself?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

The “what” is clear, “how”, “when” are negotiable.

Scripture Read: Titus 2:1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.

Application: God has given the message He wants shared with the world. Are we allowed to adjust it or change it? Many do. If we are going to remain faithful to Him and His message what are the parameters that we must commit to? Consider …

Fitting πρέπω prépō - appropriate for the circumstances ^[1]

What exactly does this mean? Do circumstances change my message? The answer to that is obvious – no! The message is what it is. I think the issue here is that the circumstances can change the topic, the timing and depth of the message, but not the message itself. In other words when I speak, the things I should talk about should be in keeping with the circumstances. 

Talking to unbelievers about salvation is not the time to get into a deep discussion about sovereignty vs. free will. When dealing with group outreach that brings several churches together is not the time to speak on debatable topics like the gifts. Teaching a class on how we got our Bible should be different when speaking to a group of college freshmen vs. seminary seniors. This is a great reminder to all of us that although our message remains the same (the Word says what it says) that does not mean we need to deal with all of it and it’s depth at one time. This is how so many in the Body begin their walk with the Lord out of balance.  They spend a lot of their time as newborn babes in Bible Studies that deal with demonology or eschatology, both great topics, but first a solid foundation of Who Christ is and what did He do should be laid. Father, please allow Your Spirit to show us what to say, when to say it and how to say it. Thanks!

* Meditation Questions: How much of the basic of theology have you studied? How much of the Bible do you read compared to books about bible topics? What is the secret to identifying a counterfeit gospel? Do you ask the Spirit of God to guide you when you speak to others about Christ?   

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

We can’t be just a little dirty.

Scripture Read: Titus 1:10 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Application: The war between purity and defilement is an important one. There is one key that we need to understand clearly or we will fall prey to the lie of the enemy. It is a subtle lie – but a very good one … what’s the harm in being a “little” defiled? The question is never phrased that way but that is the meaning we have when we play with sin or even try to get as close as we can without actually stepping over the line. Scripture makes it clear we cannot just get a little dirty.

Defiled - μιαίνω miaínō - To stain with color as the staining of glass, to tinge, pollute, defile. ^[1]

Interesting etymology of this word – “to paint in colour,” “to spot,” “to stain,” first materially, then in the religious or cultic sense. μιαίνειν is used esp. for staining by bloodguiltiness. In primitive thought this was understood physically like dirt or infection. But the act does not affect only the doer. The doer transfers the stain to his fellow-citizens, the city, the temple of the gods. Cultic cleansing by water or sacrifice is needed to purge away the stain, In primitive thought there is no sense of the pricking of conscience. Spotting is particularly incurred by processes in which there was originally thought to be participation in the demonic, e.g., sexual intercourse or decomposition. Even bad news can make the ear unclean. Only later (in Plato, the tragedians) is staining felt to be a moral and spiritual matter.” ^[2]

In a true sense the idea of a stain is very appropriate – when you stain something it is very difficult to get all the traces of it out – if you can at all. How true this is with our Mind and Conscience – that is why sin is so very dangerous. We can allow it to stain us. At salvation we are set free and God removes the evidence of that previous life – but from that point on as we begin to walk with the Lord – we must be careful because the sins we become involved with – though still forgiven by our gracious Lord – can leave their scars (stains). I realize this verse is specifically speaking about those that are not believing and so they have never been released from their sin, but the principle of how dangerous sin is still applies. I have been porn free for some time now – but even so the stain remains. Jesus is so forgiving and has removed all guilt and even turned that sin into something I can help others with – but the stain is still there. I have heard it said we are free to do anything we want – except – escape the consequences! How true. It is great to see how the Lord leads us to be pure in all things, which does impact how we see things. Lord thanks and help us to stay far away from things that would stain our life. 

* Meditation Questions: How close do you live to sin? Do you ignore your conscience when it has doubts? Do you believe there are little harmless sins? Do you believe there are sins that only affect you? What does that say?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[2] Theological dictionary of the New Testament. 1964- (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

Praising the teacher instead of the Teacher

Scripture Read: Titus 1:10-16 For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12 One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” 13 This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who turn away from the truth. 15 To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Application: This scripture is so pertinent for today. The Body of Christ has entered the “super-star” era. Today the teacher is exalted instead of the Teacher! What do I mean? Two issues need to be dealt with here. First …

When it comes to teachers that remain committed to the Word we have a tendancy to raise them up – as if the material they are teaching came from them! It is easy to be a “powerful” teacher when you are using material that comes from the mind of God! Second, we have so elevated the method of teaching that we treat men and women that depart from the Truth, and even pervert it as great teachers. Never mind they completely departed from the Word of God – they said it so – dynamically, humorously, uniquely – you fill in the blank. Due to these two issues we now praise man instead of the Holy Spirit of God. He is the real Teacher, we are merely the teachers that teach what He has taught us. – I find it interesting to consider first the descriptions of these kinds of teachers

Rebellious - ἀνυπότακτος anupótaktos - independent, not subject, rebellious, undisciplined, spoiled

Independence from authority always leads to problems – I also see how the concept of lack of discipline plays into this issue. When we refuse to discipline the old man – he will quickly attempt to take control – a spoiled child never likes authority because that authority may place boundaries that the child does not like – in a sense these teachers are spoiled – they want to remake God in their own image

Empty Talker ματαιολόγος mataiológos; from mátaios vain, and légō to speak - a vain talker, one idly speaking trivialities,  breath of wind, nothingness,

Talk that accomplishes nothing – I like the concept of “breath of wind” - these teachers are full of hot air – they love to hear themselves talk. They will discuss in depth - nothing

Deceivers - φρεναπάτης phrenapátēs - to deceive the mind. A deceiver, impostor, one who diverts others from the right way; seducer, ^[1]

This description is really the most deadly to me – these teachers don’t just mislead – they entice the listener to a different point of view that will enslave them. They “seduce” people – there desire is not only to lead the person away from the Truth but toward a false system of belief and keep them there – these are the cults.

How important it is to all of us that love the Truth to take note how often Paul warns leaders to identify and guard against false doctrine and those that teach it. Here there should be no tolerance: a little leaven, leavens the entire loaf. Lord give us the wisdom of Your Spirit to guard those You have entrusted to us as disciples from false doctrine. Beginning with ourselves Lord.

* Meditation Questions: When you hear a “great” speaker – how do you define “great”? What is the most important thing to you about a message? How easy is it for you to identify false teaching? What does that say?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.