In every action, see an opportunity to show a model of good works, so your teaching will have integrity and be taken seriously. Let your words always be carefully chosen, so opponents will be silenced in their attempts to harm you. (Titus 2:7-8)
Do you realize that you are always teaching;
every moment? Those who follow you; especially those who admire, respect, and
aspire to be like you are looking constantly at what you do. If your actions
and your words disagree they will be confused at best, and they may become
frustrated or feel betrayed. Those who oppose you or your vision will also be
watching. They will miss no opportunity to point out disparities.
Paul cautions his student Titus, first telling
him that his attempts to mentor and teach others will be harmed if he does not
have the integrity to live his values. That lack of consistency will be called
hypocrisy; a label that no one wants to hear applied to themselves. Hypocrites
are treated with contempt, and they are compared with the worst and least
honest of a group. That is why Paul added special advice that Titus must
especially guard his words. “Don’t say
you will if you won’t, and don’t tell me not to do what you are doing – nor
what you are allowing others to do.”
No comments:
Post a Comment