We have been studying the
traits that Paul the apostle has emphasized to Titus. Titus must
demonstrate the doctrine that he is to teach the aged men and women.
He must show the young men and women how to behave, and Titus'
behavior must align with the doctrine he shares. Today Paul continues
his list for Titus in chapter two and verse eight where he wrote:
Sound speech, that
cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be
ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
The next
quality that Titus must exemplify is “Sound speech, that cannot
be condemned.” Paul instructed Titus in his manner of speaking.
The idea behind the word “sound” is truth. In other words,
Titus must speak the truth. Paul told the church of Ephesus in
chapter four and verse fifteen of the book written to them:
But speaking the truth
in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head,
[even] Christ
It was
important that the doctrine that Titus teach be irrefutable words
that will not be censored by those who hear him. It is critical that
the minister teach the word of God in a manner that is easily
understood and true, otherwise the word of God becomes of little
effect.
Paul
adds, “that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed.”
When the gospel of Jesus Christ is shared, there is usually
opposition to it somewhere, and the teachings of Jesus are no less
spared. There are opposing and contrary individuals who are hostile
to Jesus' words. Titus is to speak in such a way that these
antagonistic individuals become ashamed or turn from their
adversarial ways. The word of God has an intrinsic power within it to
turn the most vile of sinners from their path, and when Titus spoke,
he was to speak the truth so clearly that even they would turn from
their ways.
Lastly
Paul continues, “having no evil thing to say of you.” Jesus
warned his disciples to “be aware when all men speak well of
you” and if Titus was to share the gospel, not everyone would
receive it. However, Titus was not to speak in such a way that
someone could accuse him as worthless, of no account, ethically bad
or wicked. There is nothing worse than a minister of the gospel of
Jesus Christ or a pastor whose speaking does not align with the
scriptures, and those who do so bring reproach and cause for
opponents of the gospel to speak evil of God Himself. This should not
be.
What about us? Does our speech align
with our doctrine? If people were to assess our words would they say
that our lives correspond to our verbiage? Are there words we employ
that make others wonder whether we are Christians at all? Perhaps
today would be a good day to reflect upon our words and attitudes in
our speaking, and let us hear the words of Paul as a directive to us
so that we have sound speech that might not be condemned so that
others will turn from their wicked ways and not speak evil of us nor
our Heavenly Father.
Next time we will look at what Paul has
to say about servants or employees, so read ahead, and we shall join
together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look
for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites,
www.amazon.com
; www.barnesandnobles.com
; download
to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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