Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Then they can urge the younger women… to be self-controlled …
Summary: We visit the topic of self-control again. This time we look at our dual nature: part spiritual, part physical. Understanding this has everything to do with self-control.
Continue reading “Titus 2:5 (a) — Wedding Clothes”
Likewise, teach the older women … not to be … addicted to much wine …
Summary: Being nearsighted means we do not always “see” the long term impact of our choices. The word “addicted” has a very technical meaning in our culture. Other translations offer a more general way of looking at this passage.
Continue reading “Titus 2:3 (c) — How Much is Much?”
Likewise, teach the older women … not to be slanderers …
Summary: In Greek, the word “slander” comes from the root word for “devil.” Slander is a tool for hurting others. Envy and jealousy are two of the motives for hurting others.
Continue reading “Titus 2:3 (b) — The Devil’s Trap”
Teach the older men to be … self-controlled …
Summary: The reason Christians strive to be self-controlled is that we represent heaven here on earth. We are ambassadors for Christ.
Continue reading “Titus 2:2 (d) — God’s Ambassador”
Teach the older men to be … worthy of respect …
Summary: Respect is different for the worldly than it is for the believer. Worldly people are impressed by outward appearance. Spiritual people are impressed by one’s closeness to God.
Continue reading “Titus 2:2 (c) — Mr. Diggs”
Teach the older men to be … temperate …
Summary: God made wine. Then he told man to be careful using it. Paul says this is especially important for an overseer.
Continue reading “Titus 2:2 (b) — Clear Minded”
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.
Summary: “Actions speak louder than words,” is an old saying that is very true. We might think we can hide our motives in our hearts and minds, but God knows our hearts and our actions speak volumes.
Continue reading “Titus 1:16 (a) — The Big Ouch”
In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.
Summary: The mind and the conscience are like the steering wheel and the brake on a car. They each have important functions. If they don’t work properly, the car is not safe to drive. The same is true for people.
Continue reading “Titus 1:15 (c) — Wheel and Brake”
… but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure.
Summary: Pure water is rare. Any amount of anything that is not water makes it impure. Like impure water, we cannot makes ourselves pure nor do anything that is pure. Only through Jesus can we be cleansed.
Continue reading “Titus 1:15 (b) — A Drop of Arsenic”
—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.
Summary: What is honest gain? From that we can learn what dishonest gain is. Knowing what to look for, we can avoid entanglements with those who are working against God.
Continue reading “Titus 1:11 (c) — Dishonest Gain”