Titus 2:1-8

“As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. ² Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. ³ Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. ⁴ These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, ⁵ to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. ⁶ In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. ⁷ And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.⁸ Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.”

Not only should they be careful with their walk but also:

• Careful with your words – not slanderers 

God’s Word instructs women to be wise with their words. Interesting that God’s Word speaks to women about the words they use. Women in general use more words than men and when they are upset tend to use words as a weapon. In fact when it comes to words as a weapon women are very good at wielding that sword, just go to high school. The Words you speak are like a sword, they can pierce or they can protect. Are your words hurting or healing the heart of those in your home. Are you being wise with your words or are your words wounding? Because the one who throws dirt loses ground. Strive to speak truth not trash. The word slander, is the word translated as “devil” 34 times in the New Testament. Satan is the supreme slanderer his goal is to ruin relationships. Ladies don’t use your words for war, a wise woman watches her words she doesn’t wound with her words. Godly women don’t engage in gossip. Unfortunately social media has given women a platform to slander, where you can be passive aggressive. But what is the purpose of the things you post, are your words productive or are they poison? Remember your daughters are watching your words and you are teaching and training them either to use their tongue for truth or to tear down and trash. Is gossip or godliness your go to? Instead of being a busy body be a blessing, use your words to build up not belittle.

1. Controlled Conduct – 

Older women are to avoid addiction, especially to alcohol. The word “addiction” is the word for “enslaved” or being in “bondage” to something. A common characteristic of older women in Roman and Greek culture was to drink in order to dull the pain of life and to fill up empty time. What you consume will control. Ladies don’t fill your life with liquor to numb the pain fill your life with the Lord and let him heal your hurts. What is controlling your conduct, is it Christ or the culture.  

2. Communicators of good

Teach here means “to train,” and has the idea of coming alongside someone. The word “good” refers to that which is inherently excellent and provides a superior benefit. Older women are able to pass along that which is beautiful and beneficial because of their experience of walking with God. Are you training your daughters in truth?