Many young men have a reputation for being rebellious.  As they grow into manhood their natural desire is to push past the boundaries set by their parents as they test their strength.  They move from being controlled by parents to an authority-vacuum in which many believe they can do as they like.  Self-control is not natural. However, when a person accepts God's authority they learn to become self-controlled, because that is one of the evidences that they welcome the Holy Spirit's powerful presence in their lives (Galatians 5:22-23).

So, young men who believe in Jesus need to be taught that self-centred and wild behaviour is unacceptable to God.  But those who are willing to submit to His authority are instructed in the Gospel, and helped by the Holy Spirit to control themselves. They learn to make lifestyle decisions in accordance with God's Word, understanding that wrong natural instincts must be curbed and replaced by God-honouring behaviour (Titus 2:11-15).

In addition, these young men need to see godly living demonstrated by others.  So Paul reminded Titus that his own lifestyle mattered as much as his teaching, because the young men would see him as a role model.  In the way Titus lived, those young men should have seen the motivation and power of his way of life in Christ.  It was a radical departure to the self-absorbed culture, but it has godly integrity which commended the gospel (1 Timothy 4:12).  Living like that, they would have no reason to be ashamed.

In many parts of the world young people now have greater freedom than their parents at the same age; but with that liberty comes responsibility.  How much we need excellent role-models for our young people who are growing up in a confused world!  Even when they are under their parent's authority, peer pressure and social media are implicitly teaching a way of life which Jesus would never honour.  Therefore, it becomes even more important for parents and church leaders to set a godly example, by doing what they teach.  Right lifestyle choices are made as people respond to the work of God in their hearts.  But at the same time, so much of that can be questioned if they see their parents failing to do what they teach.  So there is a huge responsibility on parents, teachers, church leaders and indeed all the older people in the church to model the life of Christ and demonstrate Holy Spirit inspired self-control of their tongues and lifestyle.