"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance." Titus 2:2
I find it interesting that the list for older men is longer than the list for younger men (see verse 6). Maybe that is because older men set the example for younger men to follow.
The first characteristic that I as a man should seek is to be temperate. In the Greek it is a word that can be translated sober. I take it to mean that I need to govern my intake. Whatever that might be I need to be vigilant as to its role in my life.
Of course when you say sober you think of alcohol. I am going to say this as I see it. I have seen people who "don't drink, don't smoke, don't dance and don't run with those who do" act in some very ungodly ways. I have see people who do all the above act in some very Christlike, gracious and giving ways. The issue is who controls your heart and mind. If alcohol, drugs, pornagraphy or something else controls you, that is your master. If the love of Christ controls and compels you, Christ is your Savior and Lord.
In reality it is a simple issue. Does it control you? I mean does it move you to decide? When I am making the basic decisions of my day is the desire for something else distracting me from choosing wisely? I need to be in control of what I let influence me.
To be temperate, or sober is to have a clear head when living your daily life.
Father, help us to be temperate and let you control our thinking. Help us to look to you as we live our daily lives in this world but not of this world. Praise be to you in us today!
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