Titus 3:3

Passage

For we were once also foolish, disobedient, while being misled, while enslaved by various desires and passions, while conducting ourselves in wickedness and envy, worthy of being hated, while detesting others.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

This verse is pure confession.  Paul lays it out, bold yet simple.  There is truth and accuracy here.  However, it is not a list that many people would naturally come up with themselves.  None of us desires to see ourselves as Paul says in these words.  The only reason that Paul can accurately state his true nature – and the true nature of humanity – is because he is in relationship with God.  The “otherness” of God allows Paul to see himself from a fresh and new perspective.  This is perhaps one of the greatest benefits of being in a relationship with God – besides eternal life, of course.  With God, we actually have a chance at seeing ourselves for who we really are.

Do you agree with this statement?  Why or why not?  When is it easy to lie to yourself about who you are?

Second Thought:

As Paul begins to confess, he speaks about being foolish and easily misled.  He speaks about being easily enslaved by our passions and our desires and conducting ourselves in wickedness and envy.  When we are self-centered and thinking only of ourselves, we are easily led astray.  Who is there to counterbalance my desires if not God?  What set of morals or standards will guide my life if I follow my own passions?  Will I not be tossed about through life as my desires change, grow, stretch, and turn to new things?  God brings an anchor to life.  Being obedient to God helps keep us on a steady path through a very tumultuous life.

What passions drive you to and fro and cause you to rise and fall?  How have your passions changed you throughout life?  How has obedience to God helped to keep those passions in check?

Third Thought:

The last confession that Paul makes here is that he was worthy of being hated and he detested others.  This is especially true when we consider human heterogeneity.  It is easy to fight with those who aren’t like us.  It is easy to wrestle against those who have different opinions.  It is easy to argue with those who are different.  It is easy to be jealous and envious of those who have different skills.  If we are not careful, we find ourselves being ugly to people who show differences.  When that happens, we show ourselves as being worthy of hatred.  It is God who brings us peace and shows us how our heterogeneity is really a blessing.

Who in your life is it easy to hate?  With whom do you have little trouble being ugly?  What do you do in your life that might cause people to hate you?  How can God – and obedience to Him – change this dynamic?

Passage for Tomorrow: Titus 3:4-6