Having Some Effect

DEVOTION
TITUS
HAVING SOME EFFECT
Titus 2:6-8
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
NIV
I think the stronger application of the Greek word is invoke or exhort the young men to be self-controlled and I do not think I can escape that responsibility. I am not sure how in this culture either the older women or the men can impart any instruction on the younger ones. There seems to be such a head strong attitude within the younger generation of knowing all things, and the elders are just a bunch of old people stuck in the past ways of doing things. Yet, we older still have been instructed by God to teach, encourage, exhort, and invoke the younger to a life worthy of God. I also believe it requires, as it says here, for us older ones to set an example by doing what is good. This is walking the talk. It surely is one thing to tell them how they should live; it is entirely another thing to live as I tell them to. Teaching by example has to be the best way, even though that example is not a perfect one nor can it ever be, Jesus was the only perfect example. Instruction in the Word of God should be taken lightly. I must have the integrity, the honesty in what it says, not giving in to the modern concepts of the new ways. This is serious business to instruct others. God holds those who teach and preach to a higher standard. Declaring His word has to be done with soundness of speech, which surely requires the leading of the Holy Spirit. No fades, or fluff and puff, good sounding, feel good messages can stand the test. That kind of talking can be condemned and the world sees right through those false teachers who spew out that garbage. But if I simply teach the straight truth of the scripture, what is says is plain and without fault, I cannot be condemned by anyone. What I teach or preach and what I write is not for my own personal gain, but so that maybe, just maybe I might influence someone to live a life worthy of Christ and that I might be a useful servant of my Lord, benefiting the Kingdom of God in some way. So I must press on to encourage, setting an example, to show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech in hopes of having some effect.