Bible Study for the Workplace - Titus 2:9 -10

We have been studying through the book of Titus. We have studied exhortations on becoming sound in our faith, exhortations to younger men, older men, women and now today we come to a study on the workplace. What is our attitude supposed to be toward our employer? God's Word has the answers to all areas of our lives. We will go through two verses only in this study. So let's begin by going to Titus chapter 2 verses 9 and 10.

Titus 2:9-10 - Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

picture thanks to colororigin.com

picture thanks to wegetyouhealthy.com 

This portion of Scripture is addressed to servants. Some translations use the word slave. At the time when this was written, many people served in this role. They were treated as members of the household in which they served. They were usually paid and were given the opportunity to earn their freedom after a given period of time had passed. So we see that there are differences but also similarities to the workplace environment today. You probably see yourself as part of the business you work at and it is your "work family" so to speak.
First of all, beginning in verse 9 - servants are encouraged to be obedient to their masters. This is pretty straight forward, you need to do what the boss tells you. Your boss or employer has authority over those working for him, and the employees need to do what they are instructed to do. Next we see that the servant is to please the master in all things, not answering again. This is saying that you to do your job well, with integrity when your boss is not looking. You do your work well regardless of whether anyone is watching or not.  And not answering back is that you will not bad mouth your employer nor talk back to him, you will show him or her respect.

Verse 10 begins with the words - not purloining, but showing good fidelity.  This means that as an employee you must not steal, but you must show yourself to be completely trustworthy. This would include taking the right length of coffee breaks and lunch time. It is so easy to take a few extra minutes but we must not give in to this temptation, it is a form of stealing. Also another way that purloining happens at the workplace is if you take supplies home with you, perhaps it is paper or a pen, or whatever is available at your particular job site.  We are encouraged to never take that which does not belong to us. As Christians we need to be entirely trustworthy. We serve the Lord Jesus Christ and not ourselves. Whatever we do is to be glorifying to the Lord Jesus as we read in 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Now we come to the final part of verse 10 - we are to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. What does it mean to "adorn the doctrine of God"? It is to behave in such a way that others will be drawn to the Lord Jesus. They will see your positive attitude, your patience and perseverance even on the days that are hard or extra busy. You will be kind, thoughtful and helpful, listen to others and share in their joys and sadness. Lend a helping hand where you can. Share your faith with others in your workplace and point them to Jesus every day.

Galatians 5:22-23

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Bible Study for Young Men from Titus 2:6-8

We are doing a Bible Study that will take us through the book of Titus. Most recently we have studied Biblical instructions to younger and older women and also to older men. I would encourage you to read these study posts as well. Here are the links: Bible Teaching for Younger and Older Women 

Bible Teaching for Older Men

But today the focus of our study is young men. At first thought you might think that it will be a teaching on how to treat a young woman or girlfriend or on remaining sexually pure. These are very important issues and you may be surprised to find a variety of instructions to young men in three short verses. So let's begin and see what these verses from Titus 2:6-8 will teach us. We will go through each verse in the study.

A Teaching to Young men - ( picture shutterstock.com )

Titus 2: 6-8

6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

 Verse 6 - Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

Here again we see the word sober minded. We have seen similar words of exhortation to women and to older men in previous studies. Young men are encouraged to live with a sober mind. This means to live intentionally and to make right choices with purpose. Sometimes a young man does not take the time to think through the choices he is making and he seems surprised when he must face the consequences of his actions. Here in Titus young men are strongly encouraged to be careful to be of sober mind.  Living sober mindedly first of all includes submitting your life to the Lord Jesus Christ in complete surrender. To do this is the most important thing you can ever do and then as you make Jesus Lord of your life and your first love, everything else in life will fall into place. With Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit then indwells you and living according to Biblical teaching becomes clearer every day. So secondly, living sobermindedly would include living a life of integrity, being careful of the friends you choose, careful in entertainment choices and abstaining from alcohol, abstaining from drugs and smoking, and other addictions. Viewing and participating in pornography has no place in the Christian life. It is very dangerous to view and participate in pornography and lustful living and will have lifelong consequences in friendhips and it makes it almost impossible to have a good marriage. So please, please young men do not set yourself up for failure by viewing and participating in pornography, it is a terrible addiction. The Bible has very harsh words for anyone who is living in immorality. Please do not take this lightly. ( For a more complete look at what the Bible says about pornography/immorality, please read my blog post on this topic - link here Sexual Immorality ) 

Ephesians 5: 1-7

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Verse 7- In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Here in verse 7, a young man is encouraged to be an good example to those he come in contact with. Let your peers, friends, family and fellow employees see you doing good. A Christian should be the most loving, kind and helpful person anyone meets. When you feel that  prompting from the Holy Spirit, urging you to help someone and to show kindness, then do not hesitate to follow the Lord. 

Make it your habit to read and study your Bible every day. Set aside a time of day and a place where you meet with the Lord, and pray about everything - and just thank the Lord for things, what He has done for you, for His presence in your life and how He is guiding you, He has your best in mind and He will not disappoint you when you give your whole mind, soul, and body to the Lord Jesus.

The Lord would have men to be leaders, so be willing to follow the Lord in this. Study the Bible and be ready to teach others the pure Word of Scriptures.

Let everything you do be done with integrity, serving the Lord with intentionality.

Verse 8- 

Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you

Here in verse 8, young men are encouraged be be careful in speech. As quoted in the earlier passage from Ephesians, in verse 4 we read these strong words, as to what is not to be a part of our speech - so  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks

So we see that foolish talking, or dirty jokes, are not to be a part of our conversations. Another translation reads -  Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

 It is important to always be a man of truth. Satan is the father of lies and every lie you or I tell is pleasing to satan but entirely a sin and an offense to the Lord Jesus. 

Be encouraged young men - live your life with integrity, intentionality, truth, decency, purity, and love the Lord Jesus with all your heart. Put Him first in your every thought and decision and may the Lord richly bless you as you seek Him!!