SOUND DOCTRINE FOR YOUNG WOMEN

Titus 2:4-5 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

The previous verse says that aged women are to be teachers of good things. The lesson text tells to whom they are to teach - that they may teach the young women. The context leaves little doubt that the young women, referred to here, are young wives or, at the least, those that are contemplating marriage in the near future. The sound doctrine in this text is that young women are to be sober, that is to be sober minded, giving much spiritual thought to their conduct of life. Young women should never partake of any drug or alcoholic beverage that would cloud their minds, and compromise their ability to make sound decisions. They should heed the godly teaching of aged women, and pattern their lives after their righteous examples.

Young women are to love their husbands. The love that attracted a young lady to marry a young man is to remain the character that bonds them together forever. Marriage is honorable (Heb. 13:4). When a man and woman form a new family they are no more twain, but one flesh (Matt. 19:6). This union, not only survives, but succeeds and thrives on the devoted love for each other, by both partners. Not only is it sound doctrine for young women ...to love their husbands, but also they are to love their children. To love her children, a young mother must be concerned for, and devoted to, the complete well-being of her children. They must never neglect to teach their children that which is good in the sight of God, but also reprove and correct them when they err from what is right. With pure love for their bodies as well as their souls, young mothers must provide for both the physical needs of their children as well as their spiritual needs.

Aged women are to teach the young women ...to be discreet - to be prudent, sensible, careful, and exercise sound judgment at all times in the things they say or do. They are to be chaste - purity is to be maintained in both their physical and spiritual lives. They are to be decent, modest, moral, virtuous, and continually demonstrate marital fidelity at all times. They must also be keepers at home, meaning that they must never neglect the duties necessary to properly maintain a good domestic life within their home. In order to do this, young women must never be given to a lazy, indolent lifestyle. Rather, they must be righteously ambitious, striving to use their god-given talents, working hand in hand with their husbands, for the betterment of their family.

Sound doctrine for young women also includes being good. What a wonderful Christian characteristic. To be referred to as a good person is one of the highest forms of praise that can be bestowed on anyone, and in this instance, to young women. The word "good" carries with it many favorable characteristics. To be "good" is to be effective, efficient, unspoiled, valid, genuine, strong, dependable, honorable, worthy, sufficient, agreeable, well-behaved, skilled, benevolent, sympathetic, virtuous, pious, morally sound, and any of a number of other "good"characteristics that could be included. Possessing these traits and qualities, she will be known throughout her realm of influence as a "good" young woman.

Finally, young women, that are married, should be obedient to their own husbands. The apostle Paul, in a similar fashion, taught this same lesson to the church of Christ in Colosse. He wrote, wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord (Col. 3:18). Is obedient submission to a violent, abusive, ungodly, insolent husband required of God for young married women? Certainly not! Absolute and complete subjection, without limits, is not meant in this passage, but rather a willing, loving, obedience to a husband that demonstrates his true love to his wife (Col. 3:19), does his best to bring happiness into her life, fulfills her physical needs, and provides for her spiritual well-being.

These teachings of Paul are considered to be sound doctrine and should be taught to all young women. Paul also gives us the best possible reason for doing so - that the word of God be not blasphemed. These are good, sound, Christian teachings. Failure to believe them, accept them, and carry them out in one's daily lives would bring reproach to God and His Son, Jesus Christ, as well as bring disgrace in the eyes of the world around us, and on His church, of which we are members. Young women, and those that teach them, take heed to the sound doctrine found in the lesson text.