Living a Life Worthy of Respect
Lessons from Titus and Timothy
Titus 2:15 (KJV)
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Paul counseled Timothy 1 Timothy 4:12 (KJV) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
The similarities between the books demands that the two instructions be considered together. The counsel to Titus informs the counsel to Timothy. It is not simply his age in play here; it is His behavior. On the other hand, his counsel to Timothy must not limit our understanding of the counsel to Titus. The youth are not the only persons who might behave in an immature manner.
Here’s the point I think of the passage. It is impossible to make anyone not to despise us. There is no authority we might ever possess to prevent another man from despising our positions, our preferences, or our persons. People are so fickle they might choose to despise another person just because they think it’s fun to do.
What we do have control of is whether we give them cause to despise us.
1 Peter 3:14–17 (KJV)
But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye:and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled…
