TEACH THOSE THINGS THAT CHANGE BEHAVIOR – Titus 2:1 – 2
Titus 2:1-2 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: that the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Paul was instructing Titus that he was to teach uncorrupted doctrine. This list is a list of uncorrupted doctrine that Titus was to teach to the older men. If Titus was to teach older men to do the things listed in this verse, he would be teaching sound doctrine. In addition, if the older men were living the things listed in these verses, they would be further demonstrating that they were in the world but not of the world.
However, this message of being vigilant, honest, self-controlled, true in their faith, demonstrating love, and being patient was not only for the older men. In verse three, Titus was told that he was to also teach these doctrines to the older women. The older women in turn were responsible for teaching the younger ladies what doctrine appropriate for them to be demonstrating in their life. It was not appropriate for Titus to be teaching the younger ladies. One of the purposes that Titus was told to teach this message to the older women was so that their behavior demonstrates holiness. The whole purpose of this particular list of true doctrine that Titus was to teach was for the purpose of Christians demonstrating to the world a reverence to God that the world could understand who they were by simply observing their behavior.
Titus was being instructed to teach those things that if his listeners did, they would draw attention to God. The purpose of Titus’ teaching was not to bring glory to himself or to cause the listener to become proud and conceited in this knowledge, but instead was to be practical lessons to help the listeners understand what was pleasing in the sight of God. Titus was to teach his listeners how to live their lives. How to outwardly demonstrate their faith so that others might look at them and understand that they were different.
Paul’s instruction to Titus of what he was to teach was not meant only for Titus, it is also meant for you. You are instructed that when you have an opportunity to instruct others, your lessons do not have to be deep in knowledge. Instead, when you teach, help your listeners understand what they can do to change the way that they live so that their lives please the Lord.
You as a Christian are to be set apart. The world should look at you and understand that there is something different about you. The world should not have to second guess whether or not you are a Christian but your actions should demonstrate that you are different. You do not do things that others do simply because everyone is doing them, but instead, you do what is right in the sight of God.
It is important that you do not only take on the title of Christian but that you allow your life to change so that the world sees that you are in fact a Christian. You have great faith, but what good does it do you if you have no self-control. You have self-control but you have no patience. You have patience but you have no love. You have love but you are not honest. The Christian life is not only about one thing, but instead, it should affect every aspect of your life. Yes, you must have faith, but you also must demonstrate to the world not just one quality of a Christian but your entire life must be a demonstration that you are holy and set apart for the glory of God. God must be magnified through your life.