Be Temperate - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Titus 2:2a,

"Teach the older men to be temperate..."

As Paul provides Titus instruction about teaching what is "appropriate to sound doctrine", he begins with the importance of teaching the older men to be temperate.

What does it mean to be "temperate"? When used by the meteorologist, temperate means a forecast of weather that lacks extremes, it will be a moderate day. This gives us a hint at what it means when we teach older men to be temperate.

The dictionary defines "temperate" as meaning that which is marked by moderation, not extreme or excessive, keeping within limits. It can refer to moderation when it comes to indulgence of appetite or desire, alcohol, etc. It can also refer to a disposition of absence or avoidance of extravagance, violence or extreme partisanship.

Within Paul's instruction to Titus as to what he is to teach, it also includes teaching the older men to be self-controlled, teaching the older women to urge the younger ones to be self-controlled, and encouraging the young men to be self-controlled.

It appears to me that temperance and self-control go hand in hand. In short, Titus was to teach the members of the fellowship to not be subject to those impulses that lead to extremes and to be restrained over one's own emotions and desires.

What does that look like in our day?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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