Titus 2 Friendships

Last week I promised to give you some characteristics of a “Titus 2 type” of friendship. If you didn’t read that post, I hope you’ll click here to check it out.

Within the Titus 2 passage there is a valuable word of exhortation that should be a vital aspect of our friendships:

[box]“Encourage the young women to . . .be sensible” (verse 5).[/box]

This one little word is packed with meaning. It’s the Greek word, sóphrón: to be of sound mind, self-controlled, temperate. To operate with this mindset is to use wisdom—taking the knowledge of the Word of God and applying it practically to the demands of daily life in order to live life to God’s glory.

To be a “sóphrón” woman means that your behavior is directed by God’s truth rather than driven by your emotions.

With that in mind, let’s look at a few truths that should drive our behavior when it comes to our relationships with our friends.

• Listen well (Proverbs 15:28; 18:13)

• Don’t get caught up in the emotions of the situation, but be sensible in your reaction (Proverbs 31:25-26)

• Be a source of godly comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3–7)

• Communicate messages of hope, grace, and truth (Ephesians 4:29; Colossians 4:6; Proverbs 24:14; 27:6)

• Demonstrate faith (Hebrews 11:1; Psalm 56:3–4)
•  Be an iron-sharpening-friend by humbly suggesting ways for her to practically apply the truth of God’s Word (Proverbs 22:17; 25:11–12)

• Be discreet and confidential (Proverbs 25:9b)

• Direct her to the One who has all wisdom as her ultimate counselor (Psalm 9:9–10; 91)

• Pray with her and commit to prayer intercession for her (Colossians 1:10–12)

You may be reading this post and thinking “I want a friend like that!”

Be a friend like that. And then ask God to bring friends into your life who will point you to truth when you are struggling.

How about it?

Will you develop Titus 2 friendships? Women need these kinds of relationships.