Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Titus 2 (ESV)
Teach Sound Doctrine
2 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
How much have you focused on self-control and doing what is good in your own life?
Holy Father, thank You for all that You have given me. I have been so richly blessed. Sometimes my attitude about those blessings gets fouled up by thinking that I deserve them, using them excessively for my own pleasure and not caring about what others think or need. My desire, Lord is to not take what I have been given for granted and waste it but to use my blessings for Your glory. Let me consider the people around me and always set a good example for others. Give me the discipline to monitor how my behavior affects others, both positively and negatively. Let me practice the behavior I want others to see, even when I am alone, by always using clean language, being honest and trustworthy, showing integrity, and saying ‘NO’ to ungodliness and world passions. Make self-control a daily priority in how I treat myself, my possessions, and others. Then let me look for ways that I can encourage, teach, love, serve, and bless others. Nicky Gumble said that “True holiness is when you leave every person more alive than when you found them.” Fill my life with Your holiness. Lord, help my behavior never be a distraction, but let my actions attract people to you. Use my experiences to help others through theirs. Use my faith walk to help others grow theirs. Lord, I pray that all of my life is credible, authentic, and God-honoring. Use every opportunity in my life to be a beacon for Your love and forgiveness. Amen