Titus 2:3-5
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
The passage above is one I have been combing through word for word as I study Paul's words to older Christian women written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. All of these words such as discreet, chaste, homemakers, etc., are for the purpose of training and encouraging younger Christian women in how they who belong to Christ ought to be. It is a comfort to know that the Lord does not leave us to our own understanding in a fallen world. He is the good Shepherd and He guides and equips His people to serve Him for His glory. There is a calm and comfort that comes from His Spirit dwelling in us and this results in a greater desire to obey His Word.
To be chaste - this is twofold in that one can be chaste in refraining from intimacy with another before marriage and being exclusively intimate in marriage. Both are what the Bible teaches us. As Christian women we must desire to keep the marriage bed pure. Our thoughts, words, and behaviors should demonstrate our desire to uphold the vows we take on our wedding day and by God's grace be exclusively our husband's till death do we part. This calls for repentant hearts in our daily marital lives. We should be careful with what we view, read, or discuss when it comes to intimacy. We live in a fallen world that does not encourage purity or exclusiveness in marriage. I would encourage you to take the time to discuss with your spouse how you both can keep the marriage bed pure. Take the time to confess and pray with one another and keep your marriage between the two of you.
To those who are unmarried, simply refraining from acts of intimacy does not mean one's heart is pure. Purity of the heart comes from the grace of God and will manifest itself not just in deed, but also in thought and speech. If you are single, one thing I suggest you do is keep busy by being purposefully busy in godly endeavors. One example of this is to learn to earn what you eat so to speak. Keep in the Word and be under the preached Word. Hold yourself accountable to your time at hand and use it wisely. This will help you establish good personal habits that you will practice in your marriage. Find godly examples of women in a variety of callings to glean from who are putting into practice godly living. Commit to a sound church that preaches the whole counsel of God. This is vital to help hold you accountable and provide the fellowship you seek. Take your desires before the Lord and rest on Him alone. Confess your sins and seek His grace, mercy, and peace. Learn domestic and practical skills now that will help you in your future home. Pray that He will give you the desire to seek that which is pure, lovely, good, and pleasing to Him. Pray for the strength in Him to press on one day at a time knowing that His sovereign plan in your life is for your good and for His glory. By God's grace and His sanctifying work in me, I turned away from a life of a self-centered, ungodly, filthy, lazy downward spiral. It was a life in bondage educated by the world's ways, particularly by the world's entertainment. It became scary and abusive and not at all the fun that the world sells it to be. Do not trade that which God designed for good for friendship with the world. This is either a slow progression or sometimes a fast track to shame, guilt, fear, and hopelessness. Our only hope is in the one who made you, who redeemed you, and who calls you His own. This is the hope found in Christ. This is the sweet grace found in Him. This is where you say "no more" to the ungodly passions that swell in each of our lives. Turn off the sounds and sights of what the world feeds your minds and say no more. Turn to the one who is your Savior.
Recently, in Sunday School I was teaching children on the accounts of those to whom Jesus ministered. Read the gospels and see to whom it is He ministered, to whom He spoke, from whose cup He drank water, who it was that poured the perfume on His feet, and for whom He died. This is where you see the accounts of those who were given freedom from the bondage in which they were, for the healing from the abuse of their past, for freedom from the bitter root that had taken a hold of their hearts, and for cleansing from the pressing, filthy, guilt and shame they woke up with each day. Their Savior is Jesus. The Christ. The Son of God. He knows all things and He loves His sheep.
For me I wanted to be a godly wife and mother. This meant a putting off of the old self and a putting on of the new. How I dressed, how I used my time, how I showed respect to men are just a few things that mattered in my marriage today. God's design for marriage is far more precious, exclusive, personal, and private than the world can understand. Do not find your understanding of intimacy and boundaries of what is evil and what is good from a money making entertainment industry of books, TV, and movies. Find such understanding in the living Word of God today. Press on one thought, one verse, one prayer at a time. God's Spirit will enable you to put to death the deeds of the flesh and live according to His Word. He who called you is faithful and He will surely do it. Understanding the truth found in His Word concerning one flesh will help motivate you to have a proper respect for the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. The two shall become one. This is a beautiful picture of Christ and His church.
His grace is sufficient. His mercies are new every morning. He thoroughly cleanses those who are penitent. Though our sins are as scarlet He makes us as white as snow. He clothes us in His own righteousness through faith for His name's sake and is not ashamed to call us brother (sister). He who began a good work in you will see it to completion. Build up one another especially your husband and practice that which is taught concerning a pure Biblical marriage. Know the blessing of His beautiful design. Remember we older women are to teach that which is good that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
I close with a few verses ...thankful for God's grace...press on sweet ladies press on...Eyes on your Savior Jesus Christ
Titus 2:11-14
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
