Titus 2:1-14
"1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper
for sound doctrine:
2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in
faith, in love, in patience;
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in
behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—
4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands,
to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to
their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 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,[a] 8 sound speech that cannot be
condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to
say of you.[b]
9 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.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared
to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of
our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from
every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for
good works."
It is a fact that many criminals who are in jail believe
they are basically good people.
Often people measure themselves with others, basing their
elevated view of self on what they have not done rather than what they have
done.
A murderer will say he had a good reason to murder, or that
someone else made him do it. Then he will declare that he is a good person
because he didn't rob a bank.
The bank robber will see himself as a good person because he
didn't murder anyone in the commission of his crime.
The embezzler will think he is a good person because he
needed the money and didn't steal from his own mother.
The excuses, justifications, lies and omissions are unending
with those who refuse to see themselves as sinful.
These mentalities are evident in the neighborhood, families,
churches and anywhere there are human beings.
Our tendency is to paint ourselves in such a good light that
others may even like us, believing what we say, without listening closely for the
signs of denial and omission.
Proverbs 12:22
"22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal truthfully are His delight."
One of the ways to discern truth in what someone says, is to
ask them questions for details. As
"they" say, "it's in the details." Too many details may indicate lying and
vagueness can reveal the same thing.
Often the signs of a person's character can be discerned by
the lifestyle they live and their response to accountability. Those who refuse
to be accountable are likely hiding themselves and guilty of something.
An open, honest and high integrity person will not care what
anyone knows about them. They have nothing to hide because their conscience is
clear. These people will even tell on
themselves if they have disobeyed God.
1 Peter 3:16
"16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you
as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be
ashamed."
Proverbs 10:9
"9 He who walks with integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will become known."
Proverbs 28:6
"6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich."
Proverbs 11:3
"3 The integrity of the upright will guide them,
But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy
them."
Proverbs 19:1
"19 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool."
Proverbs 20:7
"7 The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him."
Luke 16:10
"10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful
also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in
much."
Proverbs 21:3
"3 To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."
No comments:
Post a Comment