It Starts Small

⁶ In the same way, encourage the young men to be self-controlled ⁷ in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. ⁸ Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that any opponent will be ashamed, because he doesn’t have anything bad to say about us.

Titus 2:6-8

In the same way

Titus was called to passionately urge people to follow the Lord! He had a multitude of vital roles on the island of Crete. One of his most crucial tasks was to appoint elders. Another was to fervently go around. He exhorted the church members to embrace a life of righteousness. Other translations use the word “urge.” The word “urge” resonates deeply; it stems from “urgent” and “urgency,” signifying the pressing nature of his mission. When you urge someone, you are compelling them to act immediately on something of utmost importance—time is of the essence! These qualities are not just necessary; they are essential. Titus was determined to instill this profound sense of urgency in them with all his heart and strength!

Keep asking. Keep pleading. Keep reminding.

We should care enough about the spiritual well-being of those around us that we are motivated to encourage them to follow the Lord. God does not want us to be spiritually apathetic. Who do you need to urge to godly Christian living? Titus was explicitly instructed to urge the young men to be self-controlled (in some translations, sensible).

be sensible, self controlled

This means wholeheartedly embracing common sense and fiercely resisting the seductive pull of whims or reckless ideas. Young men must stand unwavering and shun rashness at every turn. They should not allow foolish impulses to dictate their actions or lose their tempers when the stakes are high. God passionately desires young men to be not just balanced, but truly vibrant. God wants them to master control over their senses, feelings, words, and actions. They should become the champions of their own destinies. Some translations bring this word to life as sensible. Others highlight the notion of self-control. This beautifully showcases how these two dynamic concepts are intricately intertwined.

In Proverbs 7, Solomon vividly depicts a young man devoid of wisdom, caught in the snare of an adulteress. This reckless youth, driven by his passions, neglects the far-reaching consequences of his choices. He spirals into a world of impulsive desires. He willingly sacrifices enduring stability and blessings. He does this for the fleeting thrill of the moment. It is no mere coincidence that Titus passionately urges young men to harness self-control. This struggle is a monumental battle they face. It’s a crucial part of their journey toward maturity and fulfillment.

Here are a few areas that are important to exercise self-control in:

• Purity
• Speech
• Use of time
• Thought life

Note these are not just for men, but also women!

In verses 7 and 8, Titus was entrusted with the profound responsibility of Christian ministry. Paul fervently urged him to embody a holy Christian life, marked by exemplary conduct. If Titus were to fall into hypocrisy—preaching one message yet living another—his ministry would falter. His vibrant example would resonate throughout the church. It would particularly inspire young men. It would fervently illustrate how to weave spiritual principles into the very fabric of their lives.

A similar charge was made to Timothy, who was also a young man.

¹² Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love,^[a] in faith, and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

Paul fervently recognized that the most formidable threat to these young men’s ministry stemmed from within themselves. The fiercest struggle lay in their hearts and minds. If they were to wholeheartedly commit to living a faithful life for the Lord, their ministry would not just flourish. It would thrive with purpose and impact!

Three vital aspects of the Christian life come to the forefront: behavior, embodied in good deeds; knowledge, shining through purity in doctrine; and speech, echoing truth and love. Young men are called to be beacons of good deeds, setting an inspiring example. In that era, “young men” referred to any male over the age of twelve. This represented a crucial stage of growth and responsibility. However, in today’s society, we often witness teenagers grappling with irresponsibility. They also struggle with self-centeredness. This is a stark contrast to the noble calling placed upon them. But it is never too early to start being faithful to God.

Those in ministry must fervently safeguard their own relationship with the Lord. It’s all too common to get swept away in the whirlwind of teaching, counseling, serving, and evangelizing. This often results in losing sight of the essential discipline in one’s personal walk with God. A true Christian leader embraces the role of a servant. They humbly yield to the truths of Scripture. They passionately strive to embody the very messages they proclaim.

Make yourself an example of good works

A Christian leader must passionately lead by example, embodying the essence of generosity, kindness, hospitality, and compassion in every action. Children absorb life lessons far more effectively by witnessing their parents’ deeds than by heeding their words. They are astute observers, discerning inconsistencies with clarity. A heroic general doesn’t linger in the background issuing commands. They boldly charge forward into the fray. Similarly, church leaders must passionately demonstrate what it means to live out Biblical truths in everyday life.

with integrity and dignity in your teaching

Integrity is about living out the very principles you impart to others with fervor and authenticity. A preacher must look inward, scrutinizing his own life, and earnestly apply the poignant lessons woven into his sermons. A teacher faces challenges adhering to God’s word. His transparent life resonates deeply with those around him. His heartfelt commitment to submit to the Lord inspires others. Moreover, true integrity in teaching demands that one speaks the truth unflinchingly. A teacher must never succumb to the temptation of merely tickling ears; he should stand firm, unafraid of unpopularity. The driving force is the need to declare the profound truths of the Scripture with faithfulness and accuracy. This must be done regardless of acceptance (2 Timothy 2:15). He boldly proclaims what truly needs to be spoken.

sound beyond reproach

The third area that demands our attention is our speech. It presents an incredibly daunting challenge for young men.

Here are a few common sins of the tongue:

• Gossip
• Idle chatter
• Lying
• Exaggeration
• Flattery
• Slander
• Indiscretion (spreading secrets)
• Proud
• Overused (talking too much)
• Quarrelsome
• Cursing
• Harsh
• Critical
• Hot-tempered
• Rash
• Complaining
• Boasting
• Bitter
• Immoral
• Insulting
• Silence (not speaking when one should)

Note these are not just for men, but also women!

Young men, fueled by pride, often fall into the trap of boasting. Cursing and foolish chatter can be serious pitfalls. There are times when they share crude jokes, and the list of potential sins born from our words stretches endlessly. It’s crucial for us to guard our speech, making sure it remains above reproach. The moment others discover we are Christians, they begin to scrutinize our every utterance. Some watch with a sense of curiosity. Others are ready to pounce. They are eager to expose any faults and dismiss us as hypocrites. The world yearns to see Christians stumble. This offers them a sense of comfort in their own sins. It allows them to convince themselves that judgment is far from their horizon. And for leaders, the stakes are even higher; they bear an even greater target on their backs.

³¹ Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. ³² And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Ephesians 4:31-32

The heart is the key! There’s no enchanting formula to achieve a true transformation. While we may strive to guard our words, no filter can utterly suppress the expressions of our deepest feelings. It’s vital for us to earnestly approach the Lord. We must implore Him to reshape our hearts. We seek a burning charity and an overflowing grace toward those around us. Just as David fervently sought God’s cleansing touch, we must too, yearning for purified hearts that radiate love!

God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

At the same time, we have a powerful role to embrace! We must passionately invest in uplifting the people around us, being deliberate in our communication. Let’s boldly share the gospel, our heartfelt testimonies, and the wisdom gained from our quiet moments. Let’s shower compliments, lift one another up in praise, and treat others with unwavering kindness. Let’s truly listen, show genuine concern, and practice restraint in our tempers. Together, we can create a thriving community of love and support!

People do notice.

---

Cross-References

• 1 Timothy 4:12
• Psalms 119:9
• Ephesians 4:32
• Colossians 3:16-17

Discussion Questions

• Who is supposed to urge young men towards this kind of living? What does the word “urge” mean? Should we “urge” other believers on in their walks with Christ as well?
• Why does Paul especially mention the need for young men to be sensible?
• Why does Paul specifically mention the need for young men to be self-controlled?
• In what areas does a young man need to exercise self-control?
• What are some practical ways to grow in self-control?
• What three facets of the Christian life are mentioned (behavior, knowledge, speech)?
• How can a person show integrity while teaching? Dignity?
• Who is the opponent? Why are unbelievers looking at believers? What do they hope to find? Do they find what they are looking for when they observe your life?

---

© Kimberlee Smith 2026 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.