Learning the true meaning of Titus 2

 ¹ But you must speak what is consistent with sound teaching. ² Older men are to be self-controlled, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. ³ In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. [They are] to teach what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and children, ⁵ to be sensible, pure, good homemakers, and submissive to their husbands, so that God's message will not be slandered.


As I read this passage I first thought, "Wow! How much responsibility that is to be responsible to the young women in my life to be able to teach them how to be good at all those things." Then it dawned on me. If I am living this life, being Biblically submissive to my husband, being a good homemaker and loving my husband and children then it should not be so hard. 

    ⁶ Likewise, encourage the young men to be sensible ⁷ about everything. Set an example of good works yourself, with integrity and dignity ^[a] in your teaching. ⁸ Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.

I was always told growing up that I should be careful of the friends I choose and the activities I participate in because it reflected back to my grandparents (they were raising me). I never understood this until we had teenagers in our home. Now I truly understand that regardless of what is instructed about being judgmental people always will be. Our actions and words will help others form opinions of us as humans and Christians. 

    ⁹ Slaves are to be submissive to their masters in everything, and to be well-pleasing, not talking back ¹⁰ or stealing, but demonstrating utter faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

I realize we no longer have slaves, however we have "jobs". If we are submissive to our managers and do our work without talking back, stealing and by being on time and dependable we are showing our true Christian spirit. 

    ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, with salvation ^[b] for all people, ¹² instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works.

    ¹⁵ Say these things, and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard ^[c] you.

As modern day Christians we tend to find it difficult to live in a Godly way. We MUST remember that Christ came to die for us. He came to save us from all unrighteousness and evil. We have been given power over these things through the Blood of the Lamb. 

As a woman and a Gen X-er I can now more easily see what applying Titus 2 to my life really means. Living as an example to the young women around me and teaching my daughter the godly art of homemaking and mothering. Teaching the other young woman in my home how to be a godly wife, mother, sister, and friend. Also keeping my patients and cool when something is not done the way I think it should be.. In other words dying to my perfectionism. 

Putting God first in my life and keeping to His commandments and loving others before myself!