Teaching Younger Women to Be Chaste

“The aged women likewise…
“That they may teach the young women
to be sober, to love their husbands,
to love their children, To be discreet,
chaste…”
Titus 2:3a-5a

Teaching younger women to be what God wants them to be isn’t an easy task. We can see the reason for that in Titus 2. Not only are we instructed to teach them, we’re instructed to live it out before them. We can’t just speak words or give commands. We must act. As we continue to study Titus 2, we’re going to look at the next characteristic that we are to teach the younger women, and that is how to be “chaste.” If you’re like me, that isn’t a word I use on a daily basis. So, I wanted to research a little deeper so I could be crystal clear on what it actually means and how it can be passed down. While I had a general knowledge of what chaste means, my study exposed my unchaste behaviors and inspired me to be a better example to those behind me.

So, what does being chaste mean exactly in Titus 2:5? The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance gave these Greek definitions:

Chaste

53.  agnov  hagnos,  hag-nos’
from the same as 40; properly, clean, i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect:–chaste, clean, pure.

These definitions clearly define the specific characteristics of a “chaste” woman and what is to be taught. Young women are to learn to be clean and pure so they can live physically and morally innocent of unclean and impure thoughts and behaviors. God’s Word says:

“Wherefore come out from among them,
and be ye separate, saith the Lord,
and touch not the unclean thing;
and I will receive you.”
2 Corinthians 6:17

“For God hath not called us
unto uncleanness,
but unto holiness.”
1 Thessalonians 4:7

I don’t mind getting hot and dirty working outside but, when I’m done, I’m ready to hit the shower and get clean again. I prefer cleanliness. In the garden, a little dirt never hurts. In our Spiritual lives, a little dirt can cause a heap of devastating problems.

Sometimes, we women are pretty good at putting on appearances—appearing on the outside to be put-together, pure, clean, godly, moral, and sincere. When all the time, we know in reality that our private lives differ greatly from our public personas. We may act one way at home and another way around others. I’ve been guilty and have learned that people see right through that. Others know when we act differently around our:

• Family and Friends
• Churches and Communities
• Co-workers and Customers

We may think we can hide our faults, lies, and ugliness but, God sees and others will find out. All the makeup, face lifts, manicures, pedicures, colored hair, nice clothes, faux smiles, and good deeds can’t hide who we are inside. God knows how unclean we truly are in the depths of our hearts and sees our:

• Impure thoughts
• Unclean words
• Unholy attitudes
• Immodest actions
• Immoral behaviors

As Christian women, we should never feel comfortable getting our heads, hearts and hands dirty with the impurities of the world.  If we’re to teach younger women to be chaste, we must live clean, pure, and holy lives before them.

Bring It Home

Is there any one in your life who has taught you to be chaste?

Praying for you as we grow together,

Smiles, BRC