To be known as a person of good character is something to be proud of. As Christians, we endeavor to live a life that exemplifies the nature of God through His Son, Jesus. It takes a lot of work and commitment to live the way we are taught by the Scriptures. The Bible teaches us to be strong and courageous and to have sound godly character in a darkened world. One such courageous and godly young man was Titus. He is mentioned very favorably in the New Testament (2 Cor. 8:16; 8:23; 13:18; Gal. 2:3), and Paul wrote a letter specifically to him. In this letter, he exhorts Titus (and us) to live a self-controlled life.

Titus 2:11-14 NIV. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Paul instructs Titus that the motive for living within the boundaries of Scripture is the coming Kingdom of God which is our blessed hope of Jesus the Messiah’s return. Being a faithful early church leader, companion, and like a son to Paul, Titus exemplified being temperate, holy, and faithful. His leadership was invaluable to many because he was a Gentile who accepted Jesus Christ. It must have been difficult for Titus coming from a culture of idol worship to being a Christian. So many practices of idolatry are far from those of being godly. Paul talked about self-control many times in his letter to Titus. It is very important for us to take heed to his warnings.

In previous verses (Titus 2:1-10), Paul mentions we are to be loving, sensible, pure, honorable, and have sound speech, be without reproach, well-pleasing, not stealing, or argumentative. To live this way, we must understand that we cannot manage on our own, and we need Yahweh through Jesus to have godly self-control. This important concept was mentioned by Paul five times in Titus alone (Titus 1:8; 2:2; 2:4; 2:6; 2:12).

First of all, what does it mean to have self-control? The word “self-control” is translated in other versions as temperance, to be
sober, think clearly, and keep mentally alert. We are not to do just what we may feel like doing or get lazy and weary of staying in godly behaviors. To be self-controlled, we prepare our thinking as an athlete does, making sure the brain and body do what they are told to do. We are to be steadfast, doing what the Scriptures teach rather than what “feels good” or “what everyone else thinks is okay.” This will help us remain faithful and be good witnesses to others. It is not for the faint of heart to have self-control.

As we look to the hope of Christ’s return, we are to continue to live godly lives in an ungodly world. Being able to say “No” to oneself and mean it does not come naturally. It is something we must develop as a habit, preferably from our youth. For children, it is difficult to quit doing one thing and start another. In kindergarten, one foundational learning is how to stop playing with the blocks and go to the reading center, then stop that and go on to snack time. Anyone who has experienced kindergarten knows that this task can be full of resistance and crying. To be able to move from one task quickly to another takes self-discipline. As adults, not doing this can waste a lot of time. Bringing it into the present, is it more important to have 20 minutes more sleep or to get up and spend some time reading Scripture and praying? Having self-control and discipline over anger, bitterness, and resentments, stealing, cheating, drugs, alcohol, and lying are just a few of the issues we struggle
with each day. We need to be able to see the greater good in serving Jesus than in serving our own lusts. Self-discipline gives us the ability to see what is more important—my wants right now or results of delayed gratification.

Titus 2:14b states “the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” The reason we say “No” to our earthly lusts and pleasures is so that we will have the reward of not just witnessing the coming of Jesus but to be a vital part of it. We will be redeemed by Jesus from all wickedness because he has purified us with his loving sacrifice. Those who are his own are “eager to do what is good.” Self-discipline helps us stay in the habit of doing good.

To be ready for today and for the end times, we must be mentally prepared for whatever comes our way. We need to be strong and courageous, being able to set aside our own whims and addictions to live in love, to be kindhearted, forgiving, and merciful Christians. We need to be strong and courageous to say “No” to those who want to trick us or coerce us into saying and promoting things that are against the Word of God. If we cannot get ourselves to work on time, forgive others, or be industrious, then we will have a lot of trouble when it comes to the weightier matters.

So how do I do this? Our thoughts are to be obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). We refuse to allow ourselves to think things that are against or even a little compromising of Scripture. We ask Yahweh to search our heart and point out to us what areas are out of control. We can ask a trusted Christian spouse or friends what may be a hinderance to our growth as a Christian. Be ready when the answers come to get energized and actively change those habits.

1 Corinthians 9:25. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

Just as athletes train daily, practicing the skills needed to run a race, we are to practice daily the character traits that honor God. One of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:23) mentions self-control or temperance. We can only attain this fruit and do these things consistently if we rely on the spiritual help that God gives to us.

We can also take heart at the following description of an overseer. Another good reason to control ourselves is so that we can exhort sound doctrine and refute the nay sayers.

Titus 1:7-9. For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.

Proverbs 16:32. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

We praise great warriors, but the book of Proverbs teaches it is better to be patient and have self-control. Our “greatness” comes from a loving, ordered, peaceable way in which we live our lives.

1 Peter 4:7. For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer.

Lastly, the time is today to either begin or to step up our working on self-control. To be committed to pray each day or read the
Scripture each day takes self-discipline. We have to lay down those things we would rather do that may look good and seem important, and have the ability to say “No” to ourselves and do those things that are truly profitable. Self-control is paramount to living righteously today and germane to what is instore at the end of this age.

Paul wrote to Titus to warn him to say “No” to ungodliness and passionate lusts and to say “Yes” to righteous, godly self-control. Let us encourage one another to work at being self-controlled.