Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Dec 11, 2024 - Everybody Needs Self-Control”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsEverybody Needs Self-Control
Reading: Titus 2:1-10
As Titus works with a variety of people in the Cretan churches, Paul gives tips on what lessons he needs to emphasize. “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine”(Titus 2:1). Sound (healthy) teaching addresses all the various age and gender groups within the congregation. Each verse here contains a nutshell picture of Paul’s vision for what each group should be. “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women”(Titus 2:2-4). The older generations lead the way for the younger by their examples of discipline, dignity, and devotion to God. Older women also directly “teach” and “train” the younger women the aspects of the faith unique to them.
Younger Christians follow this lead. “and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise urge the younger men to be self-controlled”(Titus 2:4-6). Older women guide the younger women regarding their work in the home. Interestingly, younger men are given only the instruction to be self-controlled (perhaps implying that this is their most significant and difficult battle). Titus himself must become “a model of good works”(Titus 2:7) in both his personal life and his teaching. Even servants, by their disposition and treatment of their masters, “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior”(Titus 2:10).
What is notable to me here is that everybody needs self-control. Older men need it (v. 2). Older women need it (v. 3). Young women need it (v. 5). Young men need it (v. 6). As Paul surveys these churches and contemplates their status in their community, he views self-control as an urgent need. Christians must learn to restrain themselves, saying no to evil (and to ourselves) and yes to good. Self-control applies our faith to our use of substances, our patience with others, our impulses (sexual and otherwise), and our ability to wait patiently for better things. We are not exempt; everybody needs self-control.
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One Thing to Think About: How will I develop self-control today?
One Thing to Pray For: Healthy teaching so that I can grow
