Today we’ll continue looking at Paul’s pastoral letters by looking at Titus 2:

But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. 2 Tell the older men to be temperate, serious, prudent, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.

3 Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or slaves to drink; they are to teach what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.

6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us.

9 Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, 10 not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, 12 training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.

15 Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority.  Let no one look down on you.

As we read Paul today, to each group in the church, we see him affirm this, over and over – self-control.  Titus – be temperate.  Older women, be reverent and do not slander.  Older men, serious, younger, self-controlled, slaves (a lot there, but remember this is a different system than what we had here in America) – show respect.  

God wants to bring salvation to all.  Renounce the passions of the world.  Focus on Him. 

This is a reminder, that we do not live for ourselves. We live for God. We live for His purpose. We live for His goals.  We submit ourselves to Him.  

And here is a great reminder, self-control is a gift of the spirit.  It is not something that we just bow up and do, it is something that God gives us through His Spirit. It is something that we must lean into, give ourselves over to, and fully allow the Spirit to work within us. 

Today, don’t make your life about you, what you want, and your “stuff.”  

Live today for Jesus.  Live a life of submission to Him, self-controlled for Him. 

Giving your life away, submitting yourself to Him, that is where life is truly found. Today, may we live lives of self-control.  

If you’d like to get each day’s daily scripture reading sent to your phone along with this reading guide, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up!