Morning Manna | Titus 2:10 | Adorn the Doctrine of God

Adorning the Doctrine of God

Titus 2:10 – “Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.”

The phrase that caught my attention this morning was “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” This statement embodies the truth that our beliefs dictate our behaviors. Doctrine is not just a matter of knowledge—it is action. It is not just something for the heart and mind but something we put on and wear out into the public arena every day.

I would add that any doctrine or belief you can keep entirely inward, without confessing openly, is not much of one at all. There have been those who have tried to keep their faith in Christ secret, but it is so life-changing that it becomes impossible to hide. When you come to Christ, everything changes—even who you are—and suddenly, the people around you can’t help but notice that there is something different about you. Hiding God’s work in your life is not only foolish but nearly impossible. So don’t! Adorn your doctrine. Let the world see what Jesus has done inside you!

This verse was spoken specifically to servants, instructing them to be obedient to their masters. This is not the Bible condoning slavery, but rather, it is the Bible speaking to people where they were, addressing real-life issues they faced—issues that, in some places, still exist today. Most of us are not in this exact situation, but all of us know what it is to be an employer or an employee. These verses are just as applicable to us today as they were to the original audience.

Verse 10 shows us that servants were to adorn their faith by demonstrating:

• Obedience – “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters.”

• A proper disposition – “And to please them well in all things; not answering again.”

• Honesty – “Not purloining” (not stealing or embezzling).

• Integrity – “Shewing all good fidelity.”

We should apply this same instruction to ourselves as a test. Is my life adorned—embellished—by these traits?

• Am I obedient?

• Am I a servant?

• Am I honest?

• Do I operate with integrity?

Notice when we are to adorn such graces: “Adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” There is never a time or situation where we are exempt from operating in the graces God has given us as His children. Sometimes we are tempted to use the truth when it benefits us and withhold it when it does not. We expect the utmost integrity when others deal with us, yet sometimes compromise when dealing with others. But God wants us, as His servants, to adorn ourselves with these virtues at all times—whether it is advantageous or not.

The True Adorning

In closing, what are the markers of your life? How well are we adorning the doctrines of God?

• We preach love, but do we love?

• We preach forgiveness, but do we forgive?

• We preach honesty, integrity, and moral uprightness, but do we live these things?

The word adorn means to embellish. It does not refer to putting on simple clothing but to wearing jewelry—something a servant could not afford, nor would they be allowed to wear. Yet here, Paul shows us that regardless of social status or wealth, the Christian has a jewelry box filled with the most beautiful adornments this world has ever seen.

You can put on a thousand-dollar suit and still be unkind. You can wear tens of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry and be dishonest. This type of adorning embellishes the outward man, but the Christian must put on the doctrine of God, which makes a person truly beautiful.

I have met some of God's poorest people, yet they lived the most beautiful lives—some of the kindest, most caring, and most forgiving people I have ever known. Why? Because they reached into the jewelry box of God's doctrines and put them on.

What are you wearing today?