Strong for the Lord in Your Youth

A couple of weeks ago, we started up a meeting on Monday evenings for young ladies called "Bright Lights". Yesterday was the first lesson and I had the privilege of delivering it. In the course of studying to deliver this lesson, the Lord really spoke to my heart and I just wanted to share a few of those things with you.

The verse that we focused on was 1 Timothy 4:12. It says, "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."

All of us have heard people say something like, "Kids these day!" We've all heard others refer to youth as "irresponsible". In our society, most people despise youth. And, it's sad to say that these aren't unfounded accusations. But, if you are a young person, you have the opportunity to change that. How? By following the practical steps that God outlines in the rest of the verse.

We are to be an example of the believers in word. The Bible says in Eph. 4:29, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Every word that comes out of our mouth should "edify" those around us.
The Bible also says in Psalm 19:14, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Every word that comes out of our mouth should glorify the Lord.

We are to be an example of the believers in Conversation. Conversation means "behavior". Our conversation is our behavior; the way we act. God says that we are to have a holy (sanctified; set apart) conversation. (1Peter 1:15) God has set us apart for something wonderful.

We are to be an example of the believers in Charity. In 1 Corinthians 13, it talks of the importance of charity (love). Charity is the greatest value. Without love, there would be nothing. Out of love, God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. Without the Lord Jesus Christ, we are nothing.
Love is a verb. Therefore, its very existence requires action. We are commanded to love no matter what.
We are commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind.

We are to be an example of the believers in spirit. God says in 1 John 4:1 to "try the spirits whether they are of God:". There is a spirit that is not from God. We have the choice to have a rebellious spirit, or a cheerful and obedient spirit.

We are to be an example of the believers in faith. Mark 4:40 says, "And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" Sometimes, we may not understand why God commands us to do some things. But, it isn't for us to understand. It is for us to believe and obey. We are to trust Him.

And the last....We are to be an example of the believers in purity. In Proverbs 30:12 the Bible says, "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness." We may think we're okay. We may think we're doing everything right. But, what does God think? His word is our standard. I wonder how we measure up to it. If we stay close to the Lord, He will show us the impurities in our lives. And, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So, we can be different in a world where wrong is considered right. "Let no man despise thy youth." Stand up and be strong for the Lord in your youth!