When you read parts of the Bible it's easy to think, "Does that really apply today?" Especially Western societies, it's really easy to think that when reading Titus 2:4 where God is asking young women to be "...homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed." That can't be relevant for today, can it?

Even though the 1960's and 1970's may have coined the term "feminism", there is nothing new about it. And, even as Barbara Walters recently stated that feminism is an outdated word, the attitudes and ideas will remain until Christ returns.

God's Word clearly esteems mothers and women who focus their attention on the home. This does not mean that a women who works outside the is displeasing God. The issue is more an attitude of the heart rather than a choice between work or home. The Proverbs 31 wife was doing work outside the home, but her focus was primarily on the home, husband, and family.

This is the same thing God desires of older men. Why does God want this from the older believers (in age or spiritual maturity)? Because it is linked to verse 1—sound doctrine. When you are older in age or spiritual maturity, it makes sense that you should have learned how to act properly. Sound doctrine is God's word showing up in everyday life. That means you are decent in your conduct, clothing, actions, looks, and speech. Outward conduct driven from inward Godly principles.

The power of a REAL woman is significant, but that power does not come from being beautiful and sexy, it comes from helping. The world wants women to focus on the external, but God wants women to focus on the internal. He wants women to be just like Him—a HELPER!

Powerful is a key message of the world to women. Be powerful in order to protect yourself. And, that message is displayed in two forms—1) Powerful and Sexy or 2) Powerful not Sexy.

If you are focused on being respected—trying to get people to respect you—that's a fickle and dangerous game to play. You will end up being controlled by other people's values in order to gain their respect. Worse, the rules of the game are ambiguous and arbitrary, because what is respected today may not be tomorrow.

REAL men are clear on what really matters, and guess what, everything that really matters is non-material. In fact, you may already know that everything that is most valuable does not require any money—like the fruit of the Spirit.

REAL men don't love because someone deserves it. No matter how a person is acting ("love your enemies"), and sometimes you may think even your wife is your enemy, you still pursue their best. Love is not dependent on how you FEEL, because love is a DECISION.

REAL men aren't "Flashing their ME", they are selfless as they display the image of God (Powerful and Relational). The traits of a REAL man demonstrate that in spite of his powerful design (testosterone), he is asked to be relational also. Both can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit living the life of Christ that we have been given.