Sound Doctrine for Women(1)

…Continued from Glorifying God as Women

In Titus 2:3–5 Paul instructs Timothy what he is to teach specific groups of people — older men, older women, young women and young men. Having instructed Timothy that older men are to be “temperate, serious, sound in faith in love, and in steadfastness” (v.2), he turns to the older women. In using the word “likewise” he means that they are also to have the same qualities. He adds two more duties they are to perform, and two evils they are to avoid (v.3).

1. Reverent in behaviour.

All Christians must pursue reverence/holiness (Heb. 12:14), but the Holy Spirit, knowing us thoroughly, specifically applies this to older women. How easy it is, when around certain people, to put on a show of holiness. But Paul is urging an inner habit of holiness that begins in the heart and spills out continually in speech and action. Here are three tests for you to see if your behaviour is according to holiness:

· What does your face show? What is in the heart is generally shown on the face! If your heart is humble before God it will be reflected in how you look. When proving that his heart was not proud, David said, “My eyes are not raised too high” (Ps. 131:1). When your heart and mind are pure it will be shown in your gaze and behaviour: do not have “wandering eyes”, “full of adultery”, not full of envy.

· What does your speech show? What comes out of your mouth? Is your speech full of gossiping (everyone else’s business), in unkind words, in maliciousness? Do you make yourself out to be someone by tearing down others? Or do you open your mouth with wisdom, knowing when to speak and when to remain silent, using words of grace and words that encourage and build up?

· What do your clothes show? The “hidden person of the heart” is what is expressed in dress and outward decoration. It is so easy to desire to follow fashion, to fit in with culture in order to feel good about ourselves, without thinking of the guidelines God gives in His Word. While the Bible does not give specifics like, “you must not wear tight skirts with slits up the back”, it does give general rules by which the current fashions are to be judged, so that we can dress accordingly. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). “…women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel” (1 Tim.2:9). Fashions are determined by men and women who have no fear of God, and would you just spend money and feel great pressure so that you look like what ‘someone says’ you ought to look? Neither should you go to the other extreme and be careless about the way you look, but ask, “Am I expressing by my outward appearance an inner holiness?

2. Not…slanderers.

Who does not know the sting of an evil tongue! But the Bible teaches us the wickedness of one who speaks false accusations against another. The devil is named the “accuser” so that when we take up this evil we are doing his work. This sin is condemned in all believers but once more the Holy Spirit directs it to women, for this is the inclination of older women especially, for the following reasons:

· Older age gives many opportunities to be the “speaker” and more freedom to speak while the younger women listen.

· Their example has a powerful influence over the listeners for it is their duty to be holy as a pattern for godliness in younger women. This is equally true when theirs is an evil example. A “slanderer” is one who says, in public or private, to the face or behind the back, things that are false. This sin can also be committed by saying things that are true, but for no good reason, or when love would have rather covered the sin. Gossiping can even be done by remaining silent, by hiding the truth when it ought to have been spoken — especially when one’s good name is called into question. This sin is also committed by listening to the gossip of others. Beware of it, giving it no opportunity. Do not spend time with other women in idleness just for the purpose of chatting about the news of others. If gossiping is going on, get the subject to be changed, or excuse yourself from that company. Beware of envy, for it never speaks well of anyone else. Do to others what you would have them do to you. If you value your good name, learn also to value the good name of others.

3. Not…slaves to drink.

To be “enslaved” is to be the servant, to perform at the command of the master. Many people live under the command of strong drink and wine, instead of being master over themselves. This is sin. The Bible commands that we must not be drunk with wine (Eph.5:18), and that no drunkard will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor.6:10). It is especially shameful in older women.

It seems that in Paul’s day women used to gather together and drink, to discuss matters and gossip. What are the consequences if you older women do this? First, you become under the bondage of a created thing; when it calls, you answer. Secondly, instead of leading the younger women to holiness, you break down their restraints and lead them into sin. And thirdly, think of the disgusting and wicked words and actions that flow out of a drunken woman. She lowers herself to the level of a beast rather than the high calling of a godly woman dearly loved by God.

What is urged of you here is this — do not let yourself become enslaved to anything that this world holds out to you, whether it be wine, riches, special foods, beautiful clothing, lovely homes. Your lusting after these things will only make you forget your God (Deut.8:14). Such things that you think will bring you so much pleasure will, in the end, be your harsh masters.

4. Teach what is good.

The previous three duties for older women concern being or not doing certain things. That in this they are to be living examples to another group is now brought out clearly, and the identity of this group revealed. If women are not allowed to teach in the church assembly (1 Tim.2:11–12), where are these older women to teach? In the home. Who? — young women (and children). What? — their womanly duties. Why? — so that they live godly lives. Is this a need in the church today? YES. What are you teaching those around you? Dishonest things? Gossip? Or good things?

Article edited and re-shared from Grace & Truth magazine, issue №74 (1995), Patty Owen