Titus 1:15-16, “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled, and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.”
Paul states in Titus 1:12-14 just how bad the Cretans were. He stated one of their own prophets said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Paul quoted a line from a poem by Epimenides, a poet, and philosopher who was a resident of Crete 600 years earlier. Paul stated, “This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.” Titus 1:13. David Guzik’s Commentary states: “Paul didn’t’ say to Titus, “Cretans are liars and cheats and gluttons, with one of the worst reputations of any group in the Roman Empire. You should look for an easier group to work with.” Instead, he said, “I know how bad they are. Go out and change them with the power of Jesus and for His glory.” Paul directed Titus to confront false teachers and reject them as leaders in the church and ministry. He was to “rebuke them sharply” (Titus 1:13) from spreading false doctrine as these “false teachers” were leading a double life.
Integrity, having strong ethical or moral principles and living them out daily, is needed more and more in the workplace and the family. That is one way to shine one’s light in testimony before our peers, as incidents occur daily in choosing what is right versus wrong. When our conscience is infused with God’s Word it guards us and will instill in us a warning sign as God designed.
Our values, beliefs, and convictions must be grounded upon the Word of God and Christ’s transforming power within our lives and kingdom priorities. Our conduct speaks louder than words from our actions stemming from what we believe and is in our hearts. Jesus stated in Luke 6:45, “The good person out of the treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
We have a new salesman at my work, who used to work for one of our competitors. He has told me, and has said to management and to my customers, that he would always see my name written on the sign-in logbook at our mutual customers (back when this was a common practice) and saw the impact I had. I didn’t know him then, but he knew who I was by my reputation. I was unaware he was watching me and observing what I did in my job. My actions spoke for me without me even realizing it. This makes me realize that people are watching me without me being aware of it and can be from people I don’t even know. Therefore, my testimony needs to be honoring God at all times despite outward circumstances.
What and who is your identity based upon? Give testimony to the sole source of the power in your life that has changed you. Live that out the best that you can today. Obey, follow, and show love to others displaying your obedience to Jesus Christ. Each day’s goal should be to introduce ideas into conversations that move the other person one step closer to God. One idea is sharing how when you need discernment in making a decision or have to produce something that seemingly is impossible, you seek the Lord’s guidance. As Proverbs 2:6-8 declares: “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.”
Are you at a point where you see a change needs to be made in some area in your work or within your sphere of influence? Seek the sole source of power to input that change. Stand up for the truth as Paul did and taught Titus to do as well. Do not compromise your integrity or your conscience. A good question to ask others is, “How can I support you?” Call out for insight from the LORD. He will answer. Look and watch for it. Then leave the consequences up to God’s almighty presence, provision, and protection over you. He is the sole source of power to make changes.
Listen to Riley Clemmons (Lyric Video) Keep On Hoping