“Sound Doctrine” (Part 3)

Younger Men

Paul concludes his instructions on sound doctrine by telling Titus that he is to “likewise urge the young men to be sensible” (Titus 2:6). That is, younger men who are in Christ are to possess the same character quality that both the women and older men are told to incorporate into their characters. Young men are not exempt from being “healthy and right thinking” men. They too must possess the ability to think about things the way God would think about them; avoiding sin and clinging to righteousness. One area in which young men need to be sensible is the receiving of instruction from older men. This was an area in which king Rehoboam failed miserably and as a result lost the majority of his kingdom when it rebelled against him (1 Kings 12:1-24). Young men would save themselves much headache and heartache by listening to and heeding the advice of older men who have committed their lives to the Lord. Young men don’t make the mistake of Rehoboam! Heed the godly council of godly men.

Young men might think they are getting off easy (all they are required to be is sensible), but the reality is that one day every young man will become an older man. This is why Paul links the instructions given to the older men to the instruction given to the younger men by saying “likewise urge young men…”. The things that the older men are to be are things that the younger need to be striving towards while they are still young. If they hope to be what they ought to be when they are older, they need to start now. Furthermore, Paul holds up Titus, who was himself a younger man, as an example of what other young men are to be. He tells Titus, “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach” (Titus 2:7-8a).

Young men need to be zealous for good deeds. When one is young, he has more energy to devote and use in this effort than he will have when he gets older. Furthermore, there is no better time to build good habits then when you are young, habits that will be carried into your later years. The reality is that all redeemed individuals are to be zealous for good deeds (2:14). The earlier one develops this quality in his life the better off he will be.

Young men must also know the doctrine of Christ. They must have a firm enough grasp on it that they are able to teach, defend and practice it in purity. This quality is very similar to that of being “sound in faith” which was given to older men. Young men, too, must be dignified in their behavior, just as the older men were instructed to be. That is, young men are to know when and what to joke around about, as well as know when and what to be serious about. As he conducts himself in the appropriate ways, his example will invite others to follow his lead.

Young men are also called upon to remain sound in speech. The word for sound here carries the idea of being in keeping with truth. So, a young man’s speech must always be in keeping with things that are right and just. Paul says in his letter to the Philip­pians, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things” (Philippians 4:8). These are the things with which a young man in Christ will be filling his mind. His speech will be in keeping with the things with which he fills his mind, therefore his speech will also be sound. As a result, he will remain beyond reproach and his “opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about (him)” (Titus 2:8b).

Young men, this is what you are called to be in Christ. Are you living up to the calling? If not, press on and strive to live up to the standard to which you have been called in Christ.

Conclusion

These are things that we must all take seriously. These qualities that Paul has enumerated here in this text are things that we, as faithful children of God, are called to be. They are not simply given to us as some grand ideals that are to be aimed at, but never really achieved. We all, men and women, both young and old, must continue striving after these character qualities until we have attained them. Because these are things that “are fitting for sound doctrine” we must be careful to never ignore what God has said regarding the type of character that He desires us to possess as His children. When we as children of God, those who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, incorporate all of these character qualities into our lives we can live in confidence, knowing that we are living lives in keeping with “sound doctrine”.