SUNDAY July 27, 2025
The Benefits of Sound Doctrine
...but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.
Titus 1:8-9
Paul continued to write a list of qualifications that would enable Titus to look for men in the church who had these godly qualities. A bishop, translated to mean “overseer,” must be a person who is hospitable. Interestingly, the word hospitable literally means “generous to guests.” A bishop, as a leader in the church, has to have a genuine love for believers and, at times, be willing to bring them into his home as honored guests.
An overseer is to be a lover of what is good, meaning someone who is “loving goodness” or “a promoter of virtue.” He is also to be sober-minded. This means he is temperate, having the “ability to curb his desires and impulses.” As a leader, he will have to solve problems and situations between people. He needs to be just in all his decisions; having the ability to express good judgment is crucial.
The Bible teaches that all Christians are to be holy––set apart. In leadership, there is an even greater standard of holiness. An overseer is to remain undefiled by sin, be free of wickedness, and observe every moral obligation taught in the Scriptures. He is a man who remains pure, holy, and devout. Another important quality is the ability to be self-controlled. You may ask, “How am I able to become a self-controlled person?” You can have power to control your will under the operation of the Spirit of God.
As a leader, an overseer must be a man of the Word. He should have the ability to teach God's Word, know the doctrines of the Bible, and hold fast the faithful Word of God. He never deviates from it. This is a godly man who knows how to handle the Word of God in such a way as to exhort and convict those who stand in opposition to it.
Our consciences are not infallible, and they can become warped or weakened if not kept aligned by the infallible Word of God.
~J. Oswald Sanders~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
