Older Men and Women: Listen Up!

In this message centering on Titus 2:1–4, Chuck Swindoll addresses the profound influence of a life lived with integrity, emphasizing that believers are constantly "being watched." Whether by angels, demons, children, or non-believers, the way a Christian behaves shapes the opinions others form about God. Swindoll illustrates this with a humorous story about a woman whose road rage was so contradictory to the Christian bumper stickers on her car that a police officer assumed the vehicle was stolen [4–6]. Swindoll directs his focus to three specific groups mentioned in the text: teachers of the truth, older men, and older women. He challenges teachers to speak words that are "fitting for sound doctrine," explaining that "sound" implies spiritual hygiene—words that are healthy and wholesome. He warns that those who teach are judged by a stricter standard because they are under the magnifying glass of public observation [11–13]. For the aging population, Swindoll dispels the myth that age automatically brings wisdom, noting that some men simply become stubborn or critical. He outlines Paul’s command for older men to be temperate, dignified, and sensible, and for older women to be reverent and free from gossip. The message concludes with a tribute to "Mor Mor," a godly older woman who served as a surrogate grandmother to the Swindoll family, illustrating the powerful impact an encouraging mentor has on the next generation [14, 28–30].

Message Key Facts:

• We Are All Being Watched: Swindoll asserts that our lives are observed by invisible hosts (angels and demons) and visible observers (children and skeptics). He quotes a paraphrase regarding being "salt and light": Salt brings out the "God flavors" of the earth, and light brings out the "God colors" [4–7].
• The "Stolen Car" Illustration: Swindoll shares a story of a woman screaming at a driver while displaying "Choose Life" and "Jesus is Coming Soon" stickers. The officer arrested her, thinking she must have stolen the car because her behavior was so inconsistent with the car's message [5–6].
• Sound Doctrine as Hygiene: Analyzing Titus 2:1, Swindoll explains that the word "sound" comes from a root meaning hygiene. Teachers are to dispense "healthy" words that prevent spiritual sickness.
• Age Does Not Guarantee Wisdom: Citing Job 32:9, Swindoll reminds listeners that "great men are not always wise, neither do the aged always understand judgment." Without intentionality, age can lead to stubbornness rather than maturity [13–14].
• Biblical Longevity: Swindoll highlights biblical figures who thrived in old age:
  • Moses: Began his public ministry at 80 and led until 120.
  • Caleb: At 85, asked for the "Hill Country" to fight giants.
  • John Wesley: At 83, regretted he could only write for 15 hours a day [14–15].
• Definition of "Older":
  • Older Men (Presbutes): Based on usage regarding Paul (Philemon 9) and Zacharias, this likely refers to men aged 50 and above.
  • Older Women (Presbutis): Based on 1 Timothy 5:9 regarding widows, this likely refers to women aged 60 and above [17–18, 23].
• Attributes of Older Men: They are to be temperate (balanced, free from addiction), dignified (worthy of honor, not frivolous or "tedious"), and sensible (possessing common sense). Swindoll notes that sensible men know when they are "wearing their welcome out" [18–20].
• Attributes of Older Women: They are to be reverent (priestly behavior), not malicious gossips, and not enslaved to wine. Swindoll emphasizes the damage gossip causes in a church and the desperate need for confidentiality [24–26].
• The Legend of "Mor Mor": Swindoll tells the story of Erna Holmer, a Swedish woman who became "Mor Mor" (mother's mother) to his children. She modeled how an older woman can support a younger mother (Cynthia) by being encouraging rather than critical [28–29].

Message References:

• Titus 2:1–4: The primary text outlining instructions for teachers, older men, and older women.
• Matthew 5:13–16: Jesus’ teaching on being the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world" [6–7].
• James 3:1: "Don't clamor for the teaching office knowing that you will be judged by a stricter standard".
• Job 32:9: "Great men are not always wise, neither do the aged always understand judgment".
• Leviticus 19:32: "You shall rise up before the gray-headed and honor the aged".
• Psalm 92:12–14: "The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree... they will still yield fruit in old age".
• Philemon 9: Paul refers to himself as "Paul the aged" (likely in his 60s).
• 1 Timothy 5:9: Guidelines for widows, specifying the age of 60.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll