Kindness as Sweet as Candy

Titus 3-Part 2
To malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. Titus 3:2 NAS
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. KJV


LET IT GLOW


Just ask anyone and they would agree that Mom was the best cook around and she loved doing it. Especially at Christmasstime, she would make homemade candies. I'm not talking just a one kind of fudge, but several kinds, along with divinity, pecan logs, peanut brittle, and you name it. She covered the chest freezer top with candies. Not only did our family ooh and aah over it each year, but she would share it with friends, coworkers, neighbors, hairdresser, and people around town.  Why, the newspaper even featured her on one whole page. I think that is the kindness we're to show to our neighbors, kindness as sweet as candy, that Paul is talking about in verse 2. The self-giving kind.

Paul mentions four specific ways to showkindness to neighbors. The last two tell us how we are to be:
Gentle, with dignity and reasonableness. Gentle usually refers to our outward conduct, while meekness to inward attitude. Showing consideration for all men describes the spirit of grace. Consideration was a quality of refined leadership, a mark of strength. All men referred to "all people everywhere," regardless of race, religion, political leanings, economic status, occupation, or marital status. All.

Warren Wiersbe said, "The word gentle means 'an attitude of moderation, a sweet reasonableness.' Christians with this quality do not insist on the letter of the law, but are willing to cimpromise where no moral issue is at stake."

I want to be gentle and meek toward my neighbors, all people. In 1 Peter 3:4, Paul was talking to the wives: But let it (adorning) be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishible quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. (NAS)


LET IT GROW
 

The first ways of showing kindness to our neighbors that Paul mentions, we are NOT to do-malign them. It comes from the Greek word blasphemeo, from which we get the English term "blaspheme." It means to curse, slander, or treat someone with contempt. Blasphemy is any manner of speech that disreagards or disrespects the status of another. Usually it's used with reference to God, but here it's to men also. Name-calling is not a Christian's prerogative and especially of a brother in the Lord.
  The second way is to be no brawler. The Greek term behind peaceable lterally means "nonfighter." This person walks away from quarrels; he or she simply decides not to fight, even if fighting could gain an advantage.
[Resources: Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus; Liberty Bible Commentary]

David Guzik said, "Speak evil of no one...peaceable...gentle, showing all humility to all men: This is a distinctively Christian kindness, coming not from simple good manners but from knowing who we are and who others are in the heart of Jesus."


LET IT GO

Be gentle and meek, showing kindness to all people.

Watch my words.