Titus 1 ~ Praying Scripture

Please read Titus 1.

Meditate on verse 10.

For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers,

especially those of the circumcision.

Paul left Titus in Crete to set the churches in order and appoint elders in every city on the island (Titus 1:5).  There were people in the Cretan churches who contradicted sound doctrine and taught things upsetting entire families.  Strong leadership was needed to exhort in sound doctrine and refute the contradictors.  Paul gave Titus a list of 18 qualifications to be a church elder or overseer.  He must be:

1.     Above reproach

2.     The husband of one wife

3.     Have children who are believers and are not rebellious

He must have these first three qualifications because he has to be:

4.     Above reproach as God’s steward (An elder cannot be a good steward of the church if his own family is not obediently following Christ.)

5.     Not self-willed

6.     Not quick-tempered

7.     Not addicted to wine

8.     Not pugnacious

9.     Not fond of sordid gain

10. Hospitable

11. Loving what is good

12. Sensible

13. Just

14. Devout

15. Self-controlled

16. Holding fast the faithful Word

17. Able to exhort in sound doctrine

18. Able to refute those who contradict sound doctrine

This describes a man of God, a leader who guides his family to faith and obedience in Christ and who leads those in his church as well.  This is the list of Godly attributes that should describe every Christian man.

If you are an unmarried woman, this is your list for what you want in a husband.  If you are a married woman, this is the list to pray everyday over your husband.  Men, pray this list over yourself.  Mothers and fathers, pray for your sons and grandsons to be established in the Lord with these 18 attributes characterizing their lives.

Our churches desperately need men in leadership positions with ALL 18 characteristics because there are many rebellious men in our churches, empty talkers and deceivers who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families by teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain (Titus 1:10-11).

Pray Titus 1:6-9 over the men in your life as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Lord, make ____________ above reproach,

the husband of one wife;

let his children be believers and not accused of dissipation or rebellion.

Make __________ above reproach as Your steward.

Do not let him be self-willed, quick-tempered, addicted to wine, pugnacious,

or fond of sordid gain.

Let him be hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, and self-controlled.

Let him hold fast the faithful Word, which is in accordance with the teaching,

so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine

and refute those who contradict.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”