REAL men are Godly examples practicing sound doctrine and sound speech. You can find these excellent attributes in Titus 2:1-8.

REAL Men Are Godly Examples

Addressing Titus as a younger man, Paul tells him to be a “pattern,” an example “of good things.” Would God point at you as a type or mold, a pattern to follow that demonstrates what a REAL man is? Or, are you a pattern that shows what a REAL man isn't?

REAL men are Godly examples for young men to imitate. Young men can pattern their life after a man that lives, as Paul states in Titus 2:1-8.

Let the luster of your life be a common school of instruction, a pattern of virtue to all. – John Chrysostom

…in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility – Titus 2:7 

REAL Men Are Godly Practicing Sound Doctrine

If you have a flimsy faith, you will likely have flimsy doctrine. False doctrine leads to life problems and, worst of all – eternal problems. The wrong doctrine leads to the difference between a life with God and a life in hell. For believers, sound doctrine leads to "Well done, good and faithful servant."

But do not make the mistake of thinking doctrine only about what you believe. Doctrine first and only comes from what God’s Word says. Change your thinking and beliefs to align with God’s Word, and you become clearer about life. Your clarity comes from your walk with the Lord and your interaction with other Godly men and women.

It is easy to think that you must remain consistent with your prior beliefs and teaching. No - please do not do that! We are fallible, depraved creatures. Listen to God as you read His Word, let His truth push out the error, and replace it with truth and light.

God's Word Is the Standard

There are things that I taught in the past that I would not teach today. And, be careful of what I tell you even now. Always go to God’s Word and prove the validity of any person’s teaching or writing.

REAL men are Godly because their doctrine is firmly rooted in God’s Word, and they also believe in God’s perfection and man’s depravity. Of course, faith is always required (Hebrews 11:6), so perfect explanations for all things are not possible.

It is okay to wonder about difficult issues, but wonder isn't part of the basics - like how you become a child of God and can be secure in that relationship. Go to www.evantell.org and click on “What is the Gospel?” See what God's Word tells you about becoming His child.

Sound Doctrine Is About Character

What is very interesting is that the sound doctrine of REAL Godly men isn't just about theology, knowledge, or wisdom:

…in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility – Titus 2:7

Sound doctrine is about the actions and character of a man.

REAL Godly men are beacons of integrity. Each one is the same on the inside as on the outside. This is the only time this word for integrity appears in the New Testament. It can refer to qualities of moral soundness, purity, and being devoid of any corruption. Here, however, it speaks to the quality of Titus’ way of teaching and includes the elements of honesty, sincerity, and purity of motivation. You could say that REAL Godly men "have a true heart.” There is no hidden agenda with a man of integrity. What he says and does in one place is the same in another, the same in public as in private.

He is also reverent, which takes us back to verse 2. Sound doctrine shows up in REAL Godly men such that they are “easy to respect.” Consistent thinking, actions, and speech show a care for others and a desire to serve rather than be served. These men are easy to be around and easy to respect. Is that true of you?

REAL Men Are Godly Using Sound Speech

How fitting and perfect is God’s Word that sound speech follows statements about doctrine shows up in character. What flows from the mouth in the form of words is another reflection of our character, our thinking, and our heart.

What is Coming from Your Lips?

Use a concordance or Bible software and search for “mouth,” and you will find multiple scriptures to read. Look at this one from Proverbs.

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips – Proverbs 16:23

What a great picture. Wisdom in your heart is like a puppeteer or ventriloquist, moving the mouth and lips with what is right, sound, and wise. (In the Old Testament, the heart is best defined as the “inner man” because it does not just represent feelings like the English language tends to do. Some state it as heart/mind since it involves thinking.) Most importantly, God's picture demonstrates control of the mouth and lips.

But consider the fool; what’s different? There is no wisdom in the heart/mind that teaches the mouth or adds learning to the lips; therefore, you see this.

A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth; he winks with his eyes, he shuffles his feet, he points with his fingers; perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord. Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy. – Proverbs 6:13-15

Perverse Heart/Mind - Perverse Mouth

If you are like a fool, not walking with the Lord and displaying the life of Christ to others, you display a heart that “…is deceitful…and desperately wicked…” (Jeremiah 17:9). Then the perverse mouth is an outlet for the “perversity in his heart.” The sad truth is that deceitful, desperately wicked heart is readily available to all believers as part of the sin nature – is that what you display?

Far too often, the ridicule of the gospel has not been the message but the messenger. If people refuse to come to Christ, let them say “no” to the message, not the messenger. A shameful life clouds the purity of the presentation of God’s salvation.

At some point, your heart shows in your speech and your actions. Your actions represent character better than your words, but both ultimately demonstrate what’s really inside. You and I have been in situations where wisdom shut our lips, and it saved us. But unfortunately, there have been those times when our mouths opened and the stench of hell flowed from it.

No Legitimate Condemnation

REAL Godly men have sound speech because of the other traits that God builds into them – clear mind, self-control, sound faith, sound doctrine, sound love, and sound patience

And sound speech provides a beautiful benefit. REAL Godly men have no legitimate condemnation or criticism. Those criticizing a REAL Godly man shame themselves because their accusations lack merit or substance. Those false accusations may not be revealed in this life, but REAL Godly men are not concerned about that – they focus on reigning with Christ in eternity. What happens here is training for that time.