Sound Doctrine for Living

Titus 2:1-5    
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

Sound doctrine requires sound application.  The commands and examples in God’s word are to conform us to Christ in holiness and love for both God and our fellow man; this is crucial within the flock of God.  The older men and women should be taught so that they develop an even keel of righteousness in thinking by God’s standards, that they become self controlled, have faith founded securely on the Rock, and learn love and patience in word and actions.  This means a holy demeanor with no slandering or drunkenness, instead living and teaching others after them the good and right ways to live and conduct themselves as God’s house.  Worship begins in the temples of our bodies, then in the larger group.  Therefore we see here how older women must disciple the younger in their roles by Christ’s direction and not society’s, loving their families and setting good examples of character in following Him.  Why?  To avoid God’s word being blasphemed by doing otherwise and having others see that ungodly behavior as if it were condoned or set in place by God.  We reflect Christ and His kingdom, and so must live accordingly.