|
Portrait of a Godly Woman - part 3 |
 |
 |
 |
TITUS 2 Part 3
As we delve into Titus 2:1-5, I want us to first consider, how the Apostle Paul tells Titus that the older women were to instruct the younger women. He stated very clearly that they are to teach the younger women through their lives. We are all familiar with the old adage, "Your life speaks so loudly, I cannot hear your words." Well, there is more than a little truth to that statement. We are called upon to be godly examples whose faith can be followed. We are first and foremost to teach through a holy life. Verse 3 tells us that the older women are to be in "behavior as becometh holiness". This means a reverent lifestyle; one that is consecrated to God. Women who are reverent in behavior will adorn themselves modestly, speak with discretion, and conduct themselves in a manner that is above reproach.
Paul says they are not to be "false accusers". This means we are not to be prone to slander, not persecuting good men or accusing falsely. A holy woman will refuse to listen to, much less repeat slanderous or demeaning words about others. As older women, we can never have a positive influence upon younger women if we have a critical, complaining, or gossiping tongue. It's interesting that the Greek word translated as "false accuser" in the KJV is "diabolos". Do you recognize that word? It's used 34 times in the New Testament as a title for Satan, whom Jesus described as "the father of lies" (John 8:44). When we slander someone we are joining league with the devil. I sure don't want to help him with his dirty work, and I'm sure you don't either. So, let's begin this journey of "teaching" the younger women by asking the Lord to forgive us where we have failed with our speech and then to control our tongues for His glory. Perhaps, you may need to ask someone's forgiveness for untrue or unkind things you have said about them. May the Lord make us like that virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 who "opens her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness".
I will be in Eastern Europe for the next five weeks with my husband. When I return we will continue to discover what this godly older woman is to look like. May God be pleased to raise up a generation of older women who will be more desirous to teach and train young women for God's glory than they are to work out at the gym, shop for things they don't need, and waste their latter years in vain pursuits.
- Cindy |
