Bible Breakdown

When I was in high school, I attended a weekly Bible study and the theme verse of our group was Titus 2:7. It's a verse that has stuck with me all these years...I can still quote it word for word and it's something I try to align my thoughts and actions against even now. I wanted to pass it on for you to think on this week.

"In everything, set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing to say about us." - Titus 2:7

Breaking it down:
In the first sentence, it says to "set them an example" and then in the last sentence it makes reference to "us". Who do you think "them" is? What do you think "us" refers to?

Do you think that teaching means getting up in front of people, like maybe a teacher in the classroom? Or do you think it could mean "teaching" as a reference to living out what you say you believe?

So what's the application?
My personal opinion about Titus 2:7 is that it's a call for our life to line up with what we claim to believe. If I claim to be a Christ-follower, I should want my life to look (and truly be) a reflection of who He is. The problem with saying that you are a Believer and then acting just like someone who doesn't believe is that it discredits your walk with Christ...and when your walk is discredited, so is your example as a Christian. Although there is no way we can be perfect about this...we are going to mess up...we are going to give in to temptation...the best thing we can do is to continually line up our actions against God's word and His example. If it doesn't line up, then we gotta get it right - and quick!

Final thought:
Don't be the excuse that people need to turn away from God! Don't give them an opportunity to look into your life and say, "What's so different about that guy or that girl?" Make people wonder what it is about you...