Being Sensible

by Hugh DeLong

Be Sensible! Paul demanded this of older men (Titus 2:2), younger women (Titus 2:5), and younger men (Titus 2:6), and then of all disciples (Titus 2:12). But what does that mean? Basically, it means to have a sound, self-controlled, well-governed mind that produces wise, restrained, godly behavior. It is not merely “being smart.” It means a person’s desires, emotions, words, decisions, and habits are brought under disciplined spiritual judgment.
To be self-controlled is to not be ruled by impulse, panic, anger, lust, pride, fashion, or public opinion. It isn’t that such sensible people have no emotions, but that we are to be controlled by the teachings and principles that Jesus has given us. Our lives are governed by God’s truth as revealed in His word.

That isn’t always easy because God doesn’t always agree with us! That is, we don’t agree with God. Yet what that means in reality is that we are wrong! It is we who need to change, to grow, to be transformed.

It seems to me that the area that most of us struggle with is desires! Many of our desires are wrong. James wrote: “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). Lust in this passage is simply a strong desire for what God has forbidden. Unfortunately, the old challenge – ‘has God said’ – still raises its ugly head, and this gets us into trouble!

Are you being sensible?