In the Light of Offensive Behavior

     Seemingly, we live in a time where people are targets for another person's frustrations or anger.  I am thinking of the recent request for the President's press secretary to leave a restaurant.  She quietly acquiesced and left.  She could have lashed out in return but she wisely chose not to avoiding further
problems.  Unfortunately for the rest of her family who went to a restaurant across the street to dine, they had no peace as they were followed and harassed.  This seems to be happening with more frequency as tempers rise over political ideology.  The problem for most of us when confronted by an unreasonable person is to react instead of responding in a manner which will honor the Lord.
     Looking to Scripture for an answer about our conduct in public, I read the following from the letter Paul wrote to Titus:  "Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love and in steadfastness.  Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, or slaves to much wine.  They are to teach what is good and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.  Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.  Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us" (Titus 2:2-8).  There are several important things we can glean from this passage.
     First, one of the words repeated over several times is "self-controlled".  What an important aspect of character this is for the Christian!  Young and old alike need to learn and exhibit self-control whether in speech or actions.  We cannot do this without the help of the Holy Spirit each day.  Sadly, I think our flesh too often wants to retaliate when someone says something unkind.  Proverbs 15:1 tells us:  "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."  We need self-control especially in this fallen world filled with animosity towards the things of God.  Sarah Huckabee Sanders demonstrated self-control when she quietly left the restaurant.  I am certain it hurt and was not easy for her, but by doing so, she displayed the dignity and self-control that honors Christ.
     Secondly, we notice in this passage that older adults are to be examples for the younger generation.  Older men through their steadfastness and patient love of God are to encourage younger men in their growth by setting a good example.  The older women are to teach the younger women how to love their husbands and children.  Being near to listen and encourage younger women is a big help when they are raising children and caring for a home.  It goes without saying that no one is to be a slanderer or gossip either; for this is exactly what the unbeliever is involved in too.  We are all called to holy living before the Lord.
     An interesting side note to this passage comes from a footnote in my MacArthur Study Bible.  Dr. MacArthur said that keeping a godly home atmosphere is a Christian woman's responsibility.  He goes on to say:  "The ideas of radical feminism were an integral part of ancient Babylonian and Assyrian mythology as well as to Greek Gnosticism which flourished throughout the Roman Empire during New Testament times.  This posed a constant threat to the early church.  Modern feminism is neither new nor progressive; it is age-old and regressive."  I never knew that ancient societies also dealt with the problem of radical feminism which can cause problems in relationships between men and women.
     Finally, the purpose of all that Paul wrote was so that we would not bring any reproach on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  People watch our conduct and interactions with others.  Therefore, we do not want, in any way, to cause others to stumble and keep them from coming to Christ.  In order for someone to be convinced that Jesus can save them from their sins, they need to see people who lead a holy life.  We will not be perfect, but we are to strive to live above our circumstances with the Spirit's help so that God might not be mocked as a result of anything we have said or done.  We are called to be the salt of the earth and the light on a hill so that others will be drawn to Christ.  May we persevere in this during the days ahead so that God will receive all the glory.  Selah!