Hello again, Friend!
Read Titus 2:1-10
Title in NIV: Proper conduct defined for various groups on the church.
First, you need to understand what the word 'malign' means. It means to defame or to speak ill will of someone or something (thanks Webster).
Do you know why God allowed the Israelites to burn cities and kill all the inhabitants over and over in the book of Joshua? (Joshua 6:24; 8:19; 8:22; 8:29; 10:26; 10:28; 10:40) First, it was their inheritance- not the people living there. Another reason was to protect His holy name. Also, to protect the people from becoming entangled in idol worship and paganistic rituals and traditions. God did not want anyone doing anything to malign his name and defame him.
God will do anything and everything to protect his name (fire is to come). God inspired Paul to write a list of proper conduct to guide people in behavior that protects his name. Paul wrote a list to the people of Crete. These characteristics should be applied to our life so that "no one will malign the word of God" (vs. 5) and "so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive" (vs. 10).
I like lists:
*Older men: temperate, worthy of respect, self controlled, sound in faith, in love and in endurance; do what is good, show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, setting a good example for the young men to follow.
*Older women: reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, teach what is good, train younger women to love their husbands and children, be self controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and subject to their husbands.
*Slaves: I never thought this really applied to today's society, but as I have matured, I see this as my relationship with God. Teach me, a slave to God (Romans 6:22), to be subject to my master in everything, try to please Him, do not talk back to Him, do not steal from Him, show that I can be fully trusted so that in every way I make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
To have these characteristics in your life and to act on them and be known by them is protecting God's character and his name. Living by these characteristics also protects us from corruption and allows us to be pure. God did extreme things to protect his name- we should do the same. Extreme in the sense that we look foolish for Christ (1 Corinthians 4:10), or feel uncomfortable (doing what is not natural for Christ), or act bold for Christ (Acts 4:29-31). For example, some people may think I am foolish to give people on the street corner money. Or, I really feel uncomfortable helping a lady pushing a stroller down HWY180. And, I am bold to tell people to please watch the words they use. But, it is for God's glory and spreading God's love. I do those things to protect God's name and character. I show as many people as I can God's love.
I encourage you to look up some characteristics you want to have in your life. Not because you want to check them off your list, but because you want to protect His name and to protect yourself from corruption.
Lord, help me grow these characteristics in my life. Help me protect your name and not malign the word of God. Help people who see me think, "I want what she has." Not for my glory, but for your glory and to grow your kingdom.
Further Study:
Joshua the whole book esp. chapters 10-13
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
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Hello there! I was worried before I started my blog that I would put something 'out there' that I did not intend and I could not erase it. I even had a blog for weeks before I ever posted. I experimented, I tried all the gadgets. Basically, I got comfortable with it before I ever pushed 'publish' for the first time. If starting a blog, think about your subject. Ask...will people REALLY want to know what I ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Your topic has to have meaning. It has to make people think and be inspired to read on. Of, course your family and closest friends will read it, but if you want to expand, you must have a strong topic that relates to many. Happy Writing! Most of all, let your words glorify God!!
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Thanks for reading. I pray this stirs the hearts of many.
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