“Remind them [the faithful] to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Titus 3:1–2, ESV)
The New Testament Epistle to Titus was written by Paul. The very first words of Titus 1:1 bear out this fact. But who was Titus? Titus was a fellow pastor/ missionary who worked with Paul. He was young enough that Paul considered him a son. Paul was, in all likelihood, a mentor to Titus.
Paul wrote this letter to Titus to instruct young Titus on the needs, requirements, and plans for the churches he was to plant, oversee, or visit. Our scripture for today contains some of the instructions Titus was to give to the faithful in the places in which he visited. Contained in these verses are some of the basic requirements for being a child of God. According to Paul, the faithful were to “be submissive to rulers and authorities” (Titus 3:1). They were to be “obedient” to God. They should jump at the chance to do “every good work” (Titus 3:2). Their attitude should exude gentleness, while “avoiding quarreling”. The faithful should show “perfect courtesy toward all people”. One might say these words reflect a natural etiquette that should be followed among the faithful during worship, at home, or out in the world.
For this meditation, I want you to look more closely at Paul’s use of the requirement from Titus 3:2 to “speak evil of no one”. In Greek, the word used for “evil” in this verse is “blaspheme”. According to the dictionary, the word blaspheme means to “speak irreverently about God or sacred things”, to “curse”, or to use “offensive language that reflects poorly on God”. For many people, these words refer to swearing, cussing, or damning people. However, speaking evil or blaspheming can imply any type of language that puts God in a bad light or speaks ill of God’s ways.
During the persecution of Christians from about 60 AD until the fourth century, Roman officials would often separate out real Christians from fake ones by having them “curse Christ”. If a person wanted to escape persecution by Roman authorities, all they had to do was curse the name and person of Jesus Christ. The Romans found out that “real” Christians would never do this. Fake Christians, shallow Christians, or wannabe Christians would curse Christ without a second thought in order to save themselves from any harm.
Around about 150 AD, the church in Asia Minor, specifically in the area around Smyrna, was attacked by Roman authorities. Christians were hunted, rounded up, persecuted, and murdered. The local Bishop named Polycarp was hidden for many months while the church hoped the persecution would die down. After months in hiding, Polycarp decided God’s will needed to be done. He came out of hiding and proclaimed his faith publicly. A Roman proconsul had him arrested. When meeting with Polycarp, the proconsul urged the bishop to just “curse Christ and swear allegiance to Caesar”. Polycarp’s reply was legendary. He said, "Eighty-six years have I served Him [Christ Jesus], and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?”
With these words, Polycarp was trotted out for public execution. He was burned alive. What is interesting is that tradition says that the fires did not kill Polycarp. A Roman soldier had to stab him with a dagger in order to finish him off. Still, Polycarp would not “speak evil” or “blaspheme” Christ Jesus even to save his own life.
For many years after Polycarp’s death, people interpreted Titus 3:2 to mean that those in persecution should not blaspheme Christ. For others, this scripture from Titus meant not to cuss using God’s name in vain (thus breaking the third commandment as well!). However, if we look at Paul’s original words to Titus, he urges faithful Christians to “speak evil of no one”, not God, not Jesus, not of a neighbor, not of someone in the church.
I find it interesting that Christians can read Titus 3:2 and find other was to speak evil of others. Churches are full of people who gossip, who talk atrociously behind the backs of others, or who talk down others as if they are lesser. It’s bad enough that the world is full of people who love to troll others online, push the buttons of another to get a rise out of them, or slander others on the internet. Christians should be above such a conduct. The scripture for today is a formal command not to behave in such a manner. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if people lived out faithfully just these two verses from Titus?
A young man named Jordan was brought up in the church. He attended Sunday School. He was a member of the youth group. He visited people in nursing homes. He volunteered at school for various outreach programs. He also was well loved in a homeless shelter where he and his father helped repeatedly. When Jordan moved into a college dorm to begin university education, his family was elated. Jordan was on his way to becoming an elementary school teacher. So many celebrated his achievements.
During his sophomore year at college, Jordan went to a school party. While there, someone slipped a drug into his drink. Jordan ended up in a room with a woman who was also drugged. Pictures were taken of them sleeping together. The pictures were passed around campus the next day. Jordan was absolutely ashamed. The woman in the pictures was notorious for her one-night stands. Someone anonymously warned Jordan that he or she was going to send the photos to his parents, people in his church, and friends back in his hometown. Jordan was crushed, ashamed, and fell into a depression. A week later, he took his own life, unable to face the evil that people were spreading about him.
Don’t for a second think that evil words can’t abuse a soul. Speaking evil, blaspheming, irreverently gossiping about others, and harsh language can and does destroy lives.
Your words have great importance to God. The book of James in the New Testament warns the faithful to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19). James makes the claim that a tongue that speaks evil is full of “poison” to afflict the world (James 3:8), irreverently uttering both blessings and curses. James urges all the faithful to live godly lives with “wisdom from God” that is “pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity” (James 3:17). From these words, we understand that if the heart is not pure and faithful and filled with mercy and peace, it is all too easy to speak “evil” of another.
If your words are becoming “harmful” and you find yourself “speaking evil of another”, chances are that your heart and soul are not right with God. It is time for self-reflection. It is time to confess your sins and make things right. Never forget Jesus’ words about this subject:
“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)
A PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Blessed Lord my God! I love Thee with all my being. I have made promises to you, through Christ Jesus. I have worshipped Your name. I have celebrated Your victories.
Help me to be wise enough to control the words that come out of my mouth. I am apt to lash out when angry, be resentful when bitter, and yell when overwhelmed. Too often, I let emotions take control of my actions. I do not run to you when upset or angry or hurt or vengeful. I do not pray through trials and temptations. Then, I end up following my baser instincts. I neglect your will.
In the past, I have used my words like a sword. I have stabbed others with harmful names. I have wounded others with angry barbs and bitter blaming. When gentleness was needed, I used heavy handed tactics and harsh reprisals. I dreamed of taking vengeance when I should have been looking for ways to help. Lacking wisdom, I reacted poorly, I said things that I later regretted deeply. I overlooked the good while focused on evil. I sinned.
Forgive my foolish choices. Teach me to faithfully review my situation. Let my thoughts keep centered on Your word. Let my attitude follow Your will.
Our world is so filled with evil thoughts, evil words, and evil actions. We are desperate for your grace and wisdom and gentleness. Pour out your mercy upon the world. Bring down your justice. Let us see your righteousness.
I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.