Riding the Roller Coaster

“Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled” (Titus 2:6).

Some people love roller coasters. Neck-snapping turns. Stomach-churning drops. Zero-G rolls. Just for self-disclosure, that is NOT me. Some people will travel the world to literally go head over heels. Just listen to some of the names folks give these thrill rides. The Screamin’ Demon. The Banshee. El Loco. While the Apostle Paul certainly had nothing against these wild rides, he encourages young men to avoid hopping aboard the roller coaster of emotion and overindulgence. He tells his man Titus to encourage all the young dudes to bring their feelings and appetites under control rather than take the constant thrill ride. Don’t ride the roller coaster.

A big part of Paul’s instructions to his protege is to establish a self-sustainable system of telling others what it looks like to follow Jesus (Titus 2:1-10). The focus is on having the older teach the younger. Senior saints discipling baby believers. The older ladies teach young women what it means to love their husbands and kids as followers of Jesus (Titus 2:4-5). He then turns his attention to the young men. It’s time to grow up. Check out the take in the Amplified Bible: “In a similar way, urge the younger men to be self-restrained and to behave prudently [taking life seriously]” (v6 AMP). Put down the game controller. It’s time to stop doing what you want, when you want, with whom you want. It’s time to put on your big boy panties. It’s time to stop riding the roller coaster. 

The apostle says that these dudes “be self-controlled” after placing their faith in Jesus. This is the Greek verb sophreneo, which means to be of sound mind, curb one’s passions, or think soberly. It literally means “to save the mind.” When Jesus healed the freakazoid dude who lived in the graveyard, he man regained his sanity and was “in his right mind (Gr. sophreneo)” (Mk 5:15; Lk 8:35). Paul encourage his Roman friends that after they’ve come to know the grace of God, they should “think with sober judgment (Gr. sophreneo)” (Rom 12:3). With Jesus’ amazing return right around the corner, Pete writes that we must “be self controlled and sober-minded (Gr. sophreneo)” when we pray (1Pet 4:7). Clearly Jesus doesn’t just save our souls but our minds too! Earlier in Titus 2, Paul uses other forms of this very same word. Older dudes should be “self-controlled” (Gr. sophron) (Titus 2:2). Younger ladies need to also get a grip on their passions (Gr. sophronizo) and be discreet (Gr. sophron) (Titus 2:4-5). Clearly this whole idea of mind-saving isn’t limited to younger guys. It goes for the whole Hee Haw gang!

Is there any doubt that a young man’s mind needs to be saved? No, I didn’t think so. The mind of a teenage boy is under the tightfisted control of his hormones. He’s under control alright. Under the control of his steaming cauldron of adolescent emotions. If he doesn’t save his mind before long, he’ll simply be a boy who can shave. Do you think that immature men who are 30 going on 15 is a 21st century syndrome? Clearly not. It was something that Titus had to deal with on the island of Crete back in AD 64. As the old commercial used to say, “The mind is a terrible thing to waste.” It needs to be saved. The only way that happens is when we stop riding the emotional roller coaster. 

Before you think Jesus simply saves you and leaves you swinging in the breeze to get your hormones, hunger, emotions, and libido under control, I have some very good news for you. The Holy Spirit gives each believer the power to gain control of our passions and desires as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). God’s Spirit doesn’t transform you into some sort of robot for Jesus. Your emotions are still very much part of who we are. They just don’t control you. They don’t rule over you. God wired us to be emotional. It’s part of what it means to be made in His image. He’s an emotional God. He loves (Jn 3:16). He grieves (Ps 78:40). He gets mad (Dt 1:37). He has compassion (Lam 3:22). He is joyful (Zeph 3:17). Emotions aren’t sinful or evil. Feelings and passion are all part of being an image bearer of Almighty God. Just don’t let them control you. Just don’t ride the roller coaster.