The Influence of Who We Follow
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, as we begin this devotional journey, open our hearts and minds to understand the importance of who we follow. Guide us through Your Word and help us to seek and follow those who lead us closer to You. Amen.
"As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience."
REFLECT:
Paul writes to Titus, a young pastor, instructing him on how to lead the church in Crete. The island was known for its immorality, and Paul underscores the importance of sound doctrine, which is teaching that aligns with the truth of the Gospel. He instructs Titus to teach the older men to embody qualities that reflect their faith. These qualities—temperance, respectability, self-control, sound faith, love, and endurance—are not just virtues but are essential for setting a godly example.
The term "sound doctrine" implies teaching that is healthy and life-giving. In a culture like Crete, where immorality was rampant, living out these virtues would have been countercultural. For us today, the challenge remains the same. We live in a world where many voices compete for our attention, and not all of them lead us toward godliness. The people we choose to follow can significantly influence our character and actions.
Paul's advice to Titus is timeless. Older men, and by extension, all believers, are called to live lives that are worthy of respect. This respect is not about seeking approval from others but about living in a way that honors God and reflects His character. Self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), is crucial in maintaining a life that is not swayed by every temptation or emotional impulse.
As we reflect on this passage, consider the people you follow and the influence they have on your life. Are they leading you closer to Christ? Are they exemplifying the virtues Paul describes? And more importantly, are you living in a way that others can follow you as you follow Christ? Consider how you can better embody the virtues of temperance, respectability, self-control, sound faith, love, and endurance.
I WILL STATEMENT:
I will find someone or be someone who will show God's goodness to the world.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the wisdom found in Your Word. Help me to follow those who lead me closer to You and to be an example of godly living for others. Strengthen me in temperance, respect, self-control, faith, love, and endurance. In Jesus' name, Amen.