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KEY TEXT: TITUS 2:6-8
6.Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
7. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
8. and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
THE FORGOTTEN VIRTUE
Reclaiming the Strength of Decency in a world that often rewards the loudest voice and the most shocking statement, there is a quiet, resilient virtue that we have started to overlook: decency. It doesn't demand the spotlight or trend on social media, yet it is the very bedrock of a compassionate and godly life.
Decency is not about outdated rules or stuffy etiquette; it is the external expression of a heart aligned with divine principles, a silent testament to a faith that is lived, not just spoken. It is the gentle answer that turns away wrath, the thoughtful pause before speaking, and the simple respect offered to another soul, not because of what they have done, but because of who created them.
Think of Daniel in Daniel 1:8-16 which tells us about the story of Daniel. How he resolved not to defile himself with the king's food, maintaining purity according to God's law. He politely requested an alternative and remained respectful in his approach.Here Daniel sticked to his principles by giving a gentle answer that was aligned to God's principles.
Decency is faith's native language; it translates belief into action without a single word. Before we quote scriptures or proclaim our creed, our actions have already spoken volumes. The way we treat the person who serves our coffee, the patience we show in traffic, the dignity we afford to those with whom we vehemently disagree—these are the small, consistent acts that reveal the true nature of our spiritual convictions.
It’s easy to profess love for a distant God, but true faith is tested and proven in the up-close, daily interactions with our neighbors.
Decency is the humble, everyday uniform of a person genuinely trying to walk in a way that honors the sacred.
Think of decency as the essential salt that preserves the fabric of our communities. Without it, relationships fray, trust erodes, and society begins to decay from the inside out. It is the unspoken agreement that we will handle one another with care, that we will see the divine spark in every individual, even when it is difficult.
This is not a call for weakness or a surrender of principles. On the contrary, it takes immense strength to remain decent in the face of indecency, to offer grace when met with contempt. It is an act of spiritual warfare fought not with swords, but with a steady, respectful heart that refuses to be dragged into the mud.In the grand theater of life, decency is the quiet, steady hand that builds bridges where others have burned them. It is the radical act of assuming the best in people, of listening more than we speak, and of choosing kindness when outrage is the easier path.
When we choose decency, we are making a profound statement: that we believe in a world governed by more than just power and self-interest. We are casting a vote for a reality shaped by mercy, empathy, and the enduring belief that every person is worthy of respect.
This choice, made in the small moments of our day, is what slowly but surely transforms the world into a more humane, and ultimately more holy, place.