Paul takes Titus by the hand and equips him with a number of tools to plant new churches. One of the most important elements is to get leaders who can lead the church together. So Paul describes what such leaders should look like.

This is actually a description of all of us who are known as children of God. All these characteristics should form part of our lives. We must try hard to fit this description.

⁶It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to … not a drunk …

And I’m sure almost all would say that they don’t have a problem with this. Even the hardest drinkers don’t think they’re having too much, because they always raise the bar (no pun intended) a little higher every time. One glass, two glasses, three glasses, one bottle …

It doesn’t help to ask: “Don’t you think you have a drinking problem?” Ninety nine percent of the time the answer is: “No! Why do you ask?” Rather ask the spouse. When your spouse starts asking questions about your alcohol intake, you need to take a hard look at your consumption. When you start making plans to have less empties, you need to seriously consider how many you are opening.

Alcohol is not your friend. You can say tonight I’m only drinking two glasses, but before you know it, your clutch has slipped. After the first glass, the button on the handbrake is pushed and close to the end of the second glass, the handbrake is loose …

Just ask Jan:

I work overseas and Thursdays I come back home to my new girlfriend. This girl has lit up my life again, brought me closer to the Lord, showed me how to be a good parent. I have only good things to say about her.

I really like her and love her a lot, but last year on my way home, I stayed over in a hotel. Obviously, the drink flowed that evening, because where I work, alcohol is not allowed for 28 days.

There was a woman too and it got really rough, with me ending up having sex with the woman. Unprotected sex. The next morning, I was overcome with remorse. It bothered me so much that I told my girlfriend the full story last night. I feel more and more committed to this woman and would like to propose to her …

It’s alcohol that does this. When things run off with no handbrake, an accident is waiting around the next turn.

Fortunately, Jan’s story has a good ending. I could spend some time with him and eventually had the privilege of marrying him and his new love.

Or like Christiaan:

In my drunk and devilish days, God often pulled the carpet out from under me.

Every time I ended up flat on my back, got up again and continued with my tricks.

But one day He pulled the carpet out from under me and I ended up on my knees, and here I am still and hope to remain here for the rest of my life.

Thank goodness, God never lets us sinners go!

Scripture
Titus 1:5-9

Reflection
Do you need to ask your spouse to check your alcohol consumption?
What do you have to do?

Prayer
Lord, I suspect I need help. Please help me come into contact with the right people. Amen.