Sound Instruction for a Blessed Life - Part Two
From The HeartPublish date: 09/22/2014
But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. Titus 2:1 NKJV
But [as for] you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine [the character and right living that identify true Christians]. Titus 2:1 AMP
If we follow God’s guidelines in all things, we will prosper in all that we do. God’s Word gives us instructions and directions for every area of life.
4. Four Commands to Young Men:
Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. Titus 2:6-8 NKJV
a. To be sober minded. To be of sound mind, or to be in your right mind, sane, and moderate. It seems as if young men are usually the complete opposite of this instruction. However, by the power of God, young men can be just as sober-minded and sensible as the older and more experienced men can.
b. To be a pattern of good works. Doing good works is one thing, but a pattern of good works means that you have a good character. God desires to see good character in all of us, and especially in young men. Many people excuse bad behavior in young men by saying. “Boys will be boys,” but God expects more of you. Young men should submit their lives to God and His word so that they can set their lives on a good course. The belief that young men need to “sow their wild oats” before marriage is a carnal, ungodly idea. God expects young men, who are believers, to conduct themselves in a godly way from their youth into adulthood. God needs godly men to be leaders of families, of communities, and of nations.
c. To be uncorrupt, grave, and sincere in teaching. In doctrine, show integrity, reverence, and incorruptibility. A young man raised in the ways of the world is not fit to instruct others, but a young man, raised in God’s word, has a great deal of wisdom to share with others – not because of worldly experience, but because of instruction in wisdom through the Word of God. It is vitally important that God’s word be taught – pure and uncorrupted.
d. To have sound speech that cannot be condemned. Sound speech is the kind of speech that will put your opponents to shame, and they will have nothing evil to say of you. Ephesians 4:29 AMP says, “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.” Sound words are words that are in harmony with the Word of God. The word “sound” used here means sound and whole. It means healing words – the Gospel of healing for spirit, soul and body.
5. Five Commands to Servants:
Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
Titus 2:9-10 NKJV
This advice is good for employees and employers as much as for slaves and masters. God does not condone slavery, but since people insisted on keeping slaves, He gave direction to masters how to treat their servants and vice versa. The Bible gives bosses and workers godly instruction. Bosses should be kind, as well as firm, and workers should be faithful and loyal to their boss.
a. Be obedient. You will prosper in your employment if you are willing to take orders and to do what your boss asks you to do. Obey your own boss; respect the line of command. Do not allow others to undermine your boss, by obeying them above your boss.
b. Please your boss in all things. When you are obedient to the Word of God, you will please your boss. Your good attitude will earn you his/her respect.
c. Do not contradict or dispute orders. Do as you are told, with a good attitude. You are not always aware of the big picture, so cooperate with your boss without arguing or disputing. One day when you are in charge, you will want people to trust and obey you. Do not sow the seeds of discord, for you will reap them in the future.
d. Do not steal the goods of the master entrusted to you. “Thou shalt not steal” is the eighth of the Ten Commandments. An employee who steals is unfaithful and disloyal, and he opens the door to the devil to rob from his own life. One, who steals, is dishonoring God and harming his neighbor. He has no respect for God, and is an enemy, not a friend. Ephesians 4:28 NKJV says, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands w that hat is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”
e. Show faithfulness in all things. Jesus said that if you were faithful with that which belongs to another man, God would give you that which is your own. He also said that you are faithful in little; you will be faithful in much, and that if you are faithful with money, you can be trusted with the things of the Spirit. Faithfulness brings promotion.
When it comes time to hand out promotions, the boss will be much more likely to promote a person of integrity, who does all these things above, than someone who has a bad attitude, is dishonest, and unfaithful. These are instructions for a successful and godly life.