Titus 2:1,2 – “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and endurance.” (NIV)
Titus chapter 2 deals with Paul instructing Titus to teach different groups of people under his care certain behaviors that are in keeping with sound doctrine. Four times in the NIV Titus is encouraged to teach Christians to be “self-controlled” (vv.2,5,6,12). There are three reasons given for such teaching: 1) so that no one will malign the word of God (v.5), 2) so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us (v.8), and 3) so that in every way we will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive (v.10).
It is important how we conduct ourselves before others. We are presenting our Christian testimony “out there” every day. We can talk a good talk but the world is watching what we do. How do we respond to pressure? What do we do when we are mistreated? How do we handle adversity? The answer to these and many more questions determine our level of influence for the sake of the gospel.
The repeated use of “self-control” in this chapter is key to making sure we properly represent Christ in the world. It is no doubt one of the greatest challenges of the Christian life. Self-mastery is a sign of true discipleship and is absolutely essential if the world is going to see a “difference” in us that would make the gospel attractive. It is not automatic and it does not come without great diligence on our part. But its rewards personally are huge and the potential impact upon others can make a difference. I feel very inadequate writing this today for I, like you, am also dealing with self- control. The words of Paul in Philippians 3:12 are so appropriate: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” Let us press on that may become more like Him.