What behaviors in Titus 3:3 should we strive to avoid today? Looking honestly at Titus 3:3 “For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived, and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.” Recognizing the behaviors to reject • Foolishness • Disobedience • Deception • Slavery to passions and pleasures • Malice • Envy • Hatefulness • Mutual hatred Foolishness: choosing sense over nonsense • Proverbs 1:7 reminds, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline.” • Avoid impulsive choices that ignore God’s Word. Cultivate teachability and godly discernment. Disobedience: trading rebellion for submission • 1 Peter 1:14 calls believers “obedient children.” • Obedience means aligning daily decisions—speech, relationships, work ethic—with clear scriptural commands (John 14:15). Deception: staying anchored in truth • 2 Timothy 3:13 warns of “impostors… deceiving and being deceived.” • Guard against lies—from the culture, from others, from our own desires—by saturating the mind with Scripture (Psalm 119:11). Slavery to passions and pleasures: walking in Spirit-powered self-control • Romans 6:12: “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.” • Galatians 5:16-17 contrasts flesh and Spirit. Feeding the Spirit—through prayer, fellowship, and service—starves destructive cravings. Malice: rooting out ill will • 1 Peter 2:1 urges, “Rid yourselves of all malice.” • Malice often hides behind sarcasm, passive aggression, or vindictive plans. Choose kindness and forgiveness instead (Ephesians 4:32). Envy: celebrating rather than coveting • James 3:16 links envy to “disorder and every evil practice.” • Gratitude lists, sincere congratulations, and contentment in Christ dissolve jealousy’s grip (Philippians 4:11-13). Hatefulness & mutual hatred: replacing hostility with active love • 1 John 2:9-11 equates hatred with darkness. • Jesus commands love for enemies (Matthew 5:43-44). Practical steps: speak blessing, seek reconciliation, serve those who have wounded you (Romans 12:20-21). Putting it into practice • Daily Scripture intake renews the mind, dismantling foolishness and deception. • Moment-by-moment submission to the Holy Spirit empowers obedience and self-control. • Intentional acts of kindness, gratitude, and forgiveness uproot malice, envy, and hate. • Regular fellowship and accountability help expose blind spots and reinforce new patterns. The grace that saved us (Titus 3:4-7) also trains us to renounce these former ways and walk in newness of life today. |
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