Let No Man Despise Thy Youth

I Timothy 4:12

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (I Timothy 4:12). How can a young person live in such a way that he does not give anyone reason to despise his youth?

First, he must live a life of separation. He must separate himself from sinful places (Proverbs 6:27-28). He must separate himself from sinful people (II Corinthians 6:14). He must separate himself from sinful practices (I Timothy 5:22).

Second, he must live a life of self-denial. Jesus not only taught the necessity of self-denial, he practiced it in his own life (Luke 9:23-24, Philippians 2:5-8). Young people should make it a practice to think of long-term rewards rather than instant gratification.

Third, he must live a life of strengthening. Young people should develop firm convictions concerning right and wrong. Consider the life of Daniel as he purposed in his heart not to defile himself with those things offered to him by the king (Daniel 1:8). Young people should strive to put on the whole armor of God that they may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:3-10). Spiritual strength is an indication of wisdom.

Fourth, he must live a life of submission. Young people should decide to submit to the authority of Christ by becoming a Christian and determining to live a life of faithful service to Christ (Matthew 28:18, I Corinthians 11:3). Young people should learn to submit to the authority of our civil government (Romans 13:1-7). Young people are to submit to the authority of their parents (Luke 2:51, Ephesians 6:1-3).

Rod Halliburton

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Acts 17:11