They May Teach the Younger Women to be....Good
Praise the Lord, good day to my fellow sister soldiers!
It's a beautiful day here (in the 60's) with sunshine and a breeze, we're thankful as we know there are those who are just coming out from the other side of that great storm that went through the midwest and many people suffered. I pray that the lost hearts are seeing that they are but mortal beings and seek the Lord and His truth. God is good and all about Him is righteous and just, His will be done in all this.
Today I want to look at Titus 2 and the word 'good'. I've done various posts on the characteristics of godly women but not such a one as 'good'. What a perfect word as it describes our heavenly Father, the Creator of all things..
Psalm 100:5
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
He declares His creation is good.
Genesis 1:4
And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
We see the depth of good vs evil...
Genesis 2:17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
And of course, we see throughout the entire word of God that His people are to be and do good and in reference to this post, we see in Titus 2 that the aged women are to teach the younger women (among many things) to be good. (That means also to do good.)
Titus 2:5
To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
That one little word, stuck right in the midst of all those other commands, means much. I'm sure we all know what good means but let's take a look at the Hebrew meaning such as in the verses from Genesis...
And the greek meaning such as in Titus 2.
Before we go into what would be good works, let's talk about the foundation of why we should be and do 'good'. Titus 2 is referencing those who have believed and have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who He was and what He did on the cross to atone for the sins of mankind. Such women have repented of their sinful, worldly lives and were born again (from above) and God has given them a new heart and new mind, therefore becoming a new creation of which the Holy Spirit is within them.
We see this given in the Old Testament...
Ezekiel 36:23-28
And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the Lord, saith the Lord God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. [24] For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. [25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. [26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. [28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
As well as the New.
Hebrews 10:14-23
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. [15] Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, [16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; [17] And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. [18] Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. [19] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, [20] By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; [21] And having an high priest over the house of God; [22] Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
I share this because such works are to be done through faith, not the flesh, in the name of the Lord and through the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a transformed person. If you have not been born from above, through the biblical GOSPEL, then your good works are not wrought of God and therefore not acceptable to Him in this new Covenant.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Moving on now to those who have had a transformed life and are seeking to please their Lord and Master, let's continue looking into what is 'good' for a woman of God.
Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
We see that our lives lived for God are our reasonable service. And let me share something that brother Jim is always saying to people who push back on the obedience in the life of a transformed person...He explains that in the time these commands were given, the Jews were already living very biblical but were lacking the Spirit. They were called out and separate from the world, they were dressing and covering biblically, the women were not acting as feminists and were doing their rightful role as keepers of the homes, they were bearing children, not partaking of the Roman games and entertainment etc. But today, 'professed' believers are so very far from even those basic fundamentals of the faith that the Jews were already doing. When people find out how far away from the truth their life is, they moan about how hard it is to do such things but we see it's simply our reasonable service, which with this view puts mankind in their rightful humble place.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. [10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
We were created for 'good' works so let's go through the scriptures and see the verses that would encourage women to be and do good.
Loving God is good.
Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment.
Loving our neighbor is good.
Matthew 22:39
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Loving one another is good.
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35] By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Loving husbands, loving children, keeping the home, being discreet, chaste and obedient is good.
Titus 2:4-5
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Being quiet is good.
1 Corinthians 14:34
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
Submitting to husbands is good.
Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Covering our head is good.
1 Corinthians 11:6
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
Dressing biblical, being shamefaced and not adoring is good.
1 Timothy 2:9
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
Childbearing, having faith, charity, holiness and sobriety are good.
1 Timothy 2:15
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Helping the needy is good.
Proverbs 31:20
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
Seeking wisdom and having kindness is good.
Proverbs 31:26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Working hard is good.
Proverbs 31:31
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Comforting others, supporting the weak and being patient is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJVS
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Not being idle or a busy body is good.
1 Timothy 5:13
And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
Being grave, sober and faithful is good.
1 Timothy 3:11
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.
Being joyful is good.
Psalm 149:5
Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Being merciful is good.
Proverbs 11:17
The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
Being humble, meek, longsuffering, forbearing, and forgiving is good.
Colossians 3:12-14
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; [13] Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. [14] And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Preferring one another is good.
Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Shining your light is good.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Preaching the gospel is good.
Mark 16:15
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Praying for one another is good.
James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Studying the scriptures is good.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Shunning profane babblings is good.
2 Timothy 2:16
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
Blessing those who curse us is good.
Romans 12:14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Testing all things is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Avoiding all appearance of evil is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Rejoicing is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:16
Rejoice evermore.
Being thankful is good.
Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Being content is good.
Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Being steadfast is good.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Being doers of the word is good.
James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Being blameless is good.
2 Peter 3:14
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Being vigilant is good.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Being courageous is good.
Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
Fearing God is good.
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Trusting in the Lord is Good.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Watching our words is good.
Psalm 39:1
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
Overcoming evil with good, is good.
Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Being tenderhearted is good.
Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Being anxious for nothing is good.
Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Rejoicing in persecution is good.
1 Peter 4:5,13
Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. [13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Being a peacemaker is good.
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Loving your enemy is good.
Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Keeping ourselves from idols is good.
1 John 5:21
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
Not complaining is good.
Philippians 2:14
Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Enduring hardness is good.
2 Timothy 2:3
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Following righteousness is good.
2 Timothy 2:22 KJVS
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Being gentle is good.
2 Timothy 2:24
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Contending for the faith is good.
Jude 1:3
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Reproving, rebuking and exhorting is good.
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
There are so many more, sisters, but I'll end here for now.
Let us be an 'good' example in a world of bad ones.
(Wise words from a sister.)
Before I leave you, I made a video:-)
Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)
Love in Christ,
Sister Deb