Titus 3:1-2: “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.”
Slander no one. Be peaceable. Be considerate. Show true humility toward all men. When we disagree or oppose someone or something our society today is big into slander (vilifying, maligning, reviling or speaking evil of), however, men and women of God are to display a totally different approach.
Our approach is to be first peaceable and considerate. Anger gets us nowhere in advancing the Kingdom. James reminds us to “let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath [anger]; for the wrath [anger] of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” [1:19-20 NKJV]
We are also to show true humility toward all. That word in the original language comes from a root word (praus) that is sometimes translated as meek or mild. It is a description that Jesus applied to Himself. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek (praus) and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” [Matt 11:29 KJV]
Meekness has nothing to do with a lack of power. It is not synonymous with weak. We need but look at our LORD and Savior, Christ Jesus, in the Book of Revelation to know that when Jesus said that all authority and power in heaven and earth had been given to Him, He was speaking the truth. But in this age of God’s grace and mercy, our LORD chose to deal with mankind by speaking and displaying the truth in humility and meekness. He expects us to model the same.
Father, may we always model the meekness of Christ in this life. Amen.
