How does my behavior affect my neighbor’s attitude toward God and His word? That is an intriguing question, and one that should not be ignored.

The apostle Paul reminded the evangelist Titus to instruct the Cretan brethren, “that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2.10). Paul employs the Greek word, kosmeō, which means “to put in proper order, i.e., to decorate” (Strong). Thayer says, “metaphorically, to embellish with honor, to gain honor.” It is used of the “putting on of apparel” (1 Tim. 2.9).

Our behavior, in a manner of speaking, is the clothing in which we present the gospel. Paul instructed Titus to exhort Christians to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” If our clothing is filthy and tattered (that is, if our conduct is unbecoming), our neighbors may find it difficult to see past the adornment to focus on the beauty of God’s word. In fact, most people wouldn’t even try; they would simply turn away and remain in a lost condition. How sad, but our example may have something to do with other’s rejection of the truth.

Someone might complain: “Well, people ought to accept the truth no matter how the messenger behaves!” In an ideal sense, that’s true; realistically, however, it seldom happens that way. That’s why Paul strove to live so that “Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1.10).

How do we magnify Christ? Can we make Him better than He really is? Of course not! How can we improve on perfection? Paul simply wanted his behavior to make it easier for people to see Jesus for what He truly is – much like a magnifying glass makes it easier to see the print on a page. Do we do that with Jesus in our personal lives?

By adorning the doctrine of God, we do not add anything to it or change it in any way. Nor are we to alter the truth about Jesus when we attempt to magnify Him. In both cases, we so behave as to make it easier for people to see and understand the truth about Jesus and the gospel.

There is an old adage: “How you are acting is shouting so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying.” As we seek to proclaim the good news of Jesus, may our behavior be such that it does not distract or discourage others, but helps them to accept and obey the Lord and His word!

[-Adapted, Rob Redden; BTW]