Teaching By Example

People tend to assume others are just like themselves morally.  A thief assumes everyone else steals, and a liar assumes everyone else is lying.  Today we see this being played out in American politics, with accusations being flung about in the media and by one party about the president.  As time goes on, investigations keep turning up more evidence against the accusers than against the accused, both about sexual misconduct, and about Russian collusion.  We see the same thing in the religious world.  

Titus 1:15-16 states, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.  They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”    People begin to imagine an evil intent on the part of others, and accusing others of wrong doing who had no such intention, simply because they know what they might do if they had the chance.  They automatically assume the worst in a situation and try to make rules to prevent any possible opportunity for sin.   Closer examination invariably reveals that they do the same or worse things themselves, hoping the accusations and rules will divert attention away from their own sin. 

Titus 2:1-2 advises Titus to focus on the things that are right, that go along with sound doctrine rather than focusing on what is wrong.  “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”  For example, He should encourage the older men to be serious minded and thoughtful, exercising self-control and developing solid faith in God, rather than just talking about it.  They need to learn to really love people, not just giving money or hugs, but really caring about the person.  They need to learn to be patient with those who are younger and less mature. 

He needs to encourage the older women to set a proper example for the younger women, as Titus 2:3-5 states.  “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”  The younger women need to see examples of women who take care of their own business rather than meddling in other people’s and have developed a loving and happy relationship with their own husbands and children.  The greatest impact will come from the best examples. 

Too often we expect people to do what we tell them without setting a proper example.  Such hypocrisy is really frustrating for young people.   Titus 2:6-8 directs Titus to set the example for the young men.  “Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.  In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”  He needs to live a life that is above reproach as an example for the younger men to follow.  He also needs to set an example in his doctrinal stance, not going along with false teachings.  He needs to demonstrate a thoughtful, sincere attitude, being careful what he says so that there is no doubt as to the truth of what he says.  When young people have proper examples, it is much easier for them to respond properly.     

He needs to encourage employees to have a proper attitude toward their jobs as well.  Titus 2:9-commands, “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”  Employees need to learn to be respectful to their employers, doing their job to the best of their ability, and not stealing from him, either by taking things without permission or doing one’s own thing on company time.  He needs to be faithful to his contract in order to maintain a proper Christian testimony on the job.