"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:3-5
As a woman in this modern world, living up to the standard God wants us to adhere to can be challenging. However, if we intimately know God, we understand He knows our weaknesses and doesn't expect us to try and move through life in our power, but that is what we are bombarded with at every turn in this fallen and broken world. The world says, "Follow your heart; you got this. Work harder, be better, do this, buy that, and be this way, and then you will be happy and fulfilled." The world is a liar.
So, how do we live a life entirely devoted to Jesus amidst the constant barrage of information telling us we don't need God? How do we live set apart? How do we bring people to Jesus just by how we live? How do we live our lives entirely devoted to Jesus?
Let's look at Titus 2 for some clear direction. My goal is to give some practical steps to help us get to where God wants us to be as His followers.
1. Ground Yourself in the Truth of God's Word
So, what is sound doctrine, as we see mentioned in Titus 2:3? It is not the latest and greatest health tip or parenting book; it is the solid, unchanging, unmovable word of our ever-loving God. When we soak our minds and hearts in the words of Jesus himself, we have solid ground to walk on. When we take everything we think and do to the Lord and align it with the truths of the Bible, we can rest assured that we are in the right place.
When you wake up, don't grab your phone; open the Word of God. Saturate your heart and mind with God's word before you begin your day. Give the day to God and ask Him to be a part of it.
When you have a struggle, take it to God first. Ask God to help you seek the answers you need. Use a Biblical commentary, search for keywords, and know God will highlight what you need to hear. Listen to sermons, worship music, and Christian radio. Ask trustworthy Jesus followers to help you navigate hard things and return to the truth. Shut off the loud world and only listen to God.
2. Don't Be Addicted to Things That Pull You Away From God
This passage specifies wine, but I think it is safe to say that it is referring to addiction in any capacity. So….are you addicted to your phone or social media? Be honest with your answer.
Do you check your phone hundreds of times a day? Can you set your phone down and not crave picking it back up again?
It is safe to say that the majority of people have a slight to severe addiction to electronics. It is the enemy's most significant tool in bringing division to families.
Be honest with God and repent of any addiction that you have. Changing lifestyles or habits is a whole other subject to dive into, but being aware of any addiction is step number one. Being open and available to change is enormous. Seek the Lord and allow Him to show you things that need to go so you can focus on Jesus and what he truly wants for your life.
3. Love Others Well
Living a harmonious life is the goal, right? However, challenges, disagreements, and conflict are inevitable in any family, but how we handle the situation matters. Allowing our children to see us make mistakes, admit them, and apologize gives them a suitable model of a Jesus-centered life. If we strive to be perfect, hide our flaws, and don't allow our children to see the actual human in us, they will never learn how to deal with imperfect people in the real world. If we live in humility and openness about our sin, they will learn to recognize their own need for a savior. They must know they are forgiven and loved despite their faults and mistakes.
4. Be Self-Controlled, Loving, and Submissive
Ask the Lord what He wants you to focus on. What does He want you to let go of? Whether you work at home or outside, ask the Lord how to make your home the safe space He desires for your family. That could be scheduling family dinners or no-phone time during the evenings. Posting Scripture on walls and mirrors and filling the home with worship music are some easy and powerful ways to bring Jesus into your home. Sit with the Lord and allow Him to speak into your lifestyle and what He wants you to change to glorify Him.
5. Choose Kindness
When you are met with conflict, choose quiet kindness. Before hastily responding to a text, take the time to bring it before the Lord, asking Him to calm your heart and reply with only the words He wants you to use. Sometimes that is none. That can be challenging, but listening to the Lord and doing as He asks may help you avoid unnecessary strife and bring peace to the situation.
The world tends to scoff at anything in the Bible about submitting to our husbands. This does not mean that we don't have a say. This does not mean they can walk all over us. It simply means that they are the head of the household. When we come under the umbrella of our husband and listen to His wisdom as a follower of Jesus, our family is aligned with God's plan for a family. If you struggle with this notion, or your husband is not a Jesus follower, God is unafraid of your questions or circumstances. Seek Him. Ask Him. Ask a trusted leader to explain what this means or how to handle it. Please don't dismiss this truth because you don't understand. God is more significant than our misunderstandings and can help us understand his ways.
6. Surround Yourself with God-Loving Women
What is your most significant influence? Is it scrolling social media and listening to messages that go against the Word of God? If that is the case, living a life honoring God will be tough. Limiting our exposure to outside influence and only saturating our minds with God-fearing, God-seeking people will fill our hearts and minds with truth and peace.
It doesn't necessarily mean we must ignore issues in our world. Still, when our primary influence is Christ-centered teachings and sound Biblical advice, we can acknowledge those worldly issues with more grace, understanding, and love.
It is hard not to get worked up over the injustice of the world or why people are doing sinful things in the name of Jesus. But that is our cue to stay close to God and pray, pray, pray.
Ask God to give you wisdom in all you do and say and strive to live a life honoring Jesus daily. It is not easy being a Jesus follower in a world that goes against everything that Jesus stands for, but it is possible. In Philippians 4:13, we read that we can do everything through Christ, who strengthens us. Let's not allow the world to have the final say. Let's allow Jesus and His ways to lead our lives so that we can live in peace in our hearts, even amidst the struggle, and respond with truth, even when it is an unpopular opinion. The world is based on lies and shaky ground. Let's stand firm on God's word and His perfect truths.
Originally published Tuesday, 02 January 2024.
