The Christian Teen In the Days of Thy Youth Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather
in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, Aaron Marten [age 18] At the time Paul gave this exhortation, Timothy was a mature adult charged with the supervision of the church at Ephesus. However, he was evidently a generation younger than Paul, and others of the elders at Ephesus, and comparatively young. Thus we can extract from this counsel some good advice for the younger ones among the Lord’s people, whether they have made a consecration unto death or not. They are to be an example to the world in their thoughts, words, and actions. Whether or not they are running "for the prize of the high calling" (Philippians 3:14), there is a level of integrity and principle expected of them by God, the brethren, and even the world. But it is sometimes difficult to determine exactly what they are expected to do or how to do it, especially in the transition time of adolescence. Teens are especially in danger from the temptations of the world. When they were very young, their parents protected them from many evil influences and painful truths about the world in which they live. As they become older they are exposed to such things as sex, drugs, and violence. The adversary knows they are easy prey if they do not have a proper foundation of truth and how to apply it to their lives. It is hard to see how some elements of truth might play a role in everyday living. Would, forexample, knowing about the types in the Tabernacle or the 2,520 years in the Times of the Gentiles affect how teens live their lives? Probably not. But these doctrines do have an important role because they are elements in understanding the Divine Plan. The Scriptures should supply the principles given by the Lord for spiritual growth. "Let no one look down on your youthfulness" Adults sometimes discriminate against teens and at times it is understandable. We have not lived in the world as long as adults, so when we act as though we know as much as an adult with considerably more experience, we are inevitably looked down upon for our youthfulness. If we follow the counsel Paul gives, it will help us not to fall into that trap, to not be viewed or treated as a typical, unwise teenager. "An example in speech" The language of our society has been steadily degrading. Cursing has become common for many. The Lord’s name is taken in vain regularly in the media. One is more likely to stick out in a teenage group if one does not swear. By holding one’s tongue from offensive and crude words, a teen can be an example to his friends in the world. But cursing is probably not the kind of speech to which Paul refers. He is probably reflecting on the words of David: "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile" (Psalm 34:13). Speaking evil of someone is an easy trap to fall into and we all may do it more often than we may realize. It can lead to a cumulative effect and eventually ruin a reputation. It is best to always think twice before speaking of someone who is not present. If it is something one could comfortably say to their face, it is probably all right. Another aspect of speech teens should control and thus become an example, is respect forthose who are older. By just doing such simple things as calling brethren by the titles of "brother" or "sister" or by talking more respectfully to teachers and other adults with whom they speak, we can be examples to our peers and even to many adults. There is also another kind of speech God would be most pleased to hear. We all can be examples in speech by spreading the precious words of truth that we hold dear. Witnessing is something that many, even many consecrated, do not do easily. If teens start telling friends and family about the truth, it will become easier as the years go by; it may even give older brethren the courage to do more witnessing themselves. "An example in conduct" Reverence is a key characteristic of an ambassador of Christ. It accompanies Paul’s instructions to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Obviously we cannot be always in a state of extreme reverence, but we should always be thinking of God in everything we do. A popular phrase commonly seen today is, "What would Jesus do?" It is a wise slogan but it is not always practical. There are many situations where there is no guidance from Jesus. Perhaps a better saying would be, "What would Jesus say if he were having this experience?" How can we determine the will of our Lord in a given situation? It can only be through the study of the Word of God. To know how to conduct ourselves, we must look to Christ as our example. A key problem among teenagers is self-control. The lack of self-control can be seen in high teen pregnancy and abortion rates, and escalating levels of drug and alcohol abuse. As Christians we must hold fast to the control we have over ourselves and to the free will given to us as a gift from God. "An example in love" Love is the foundation of Christian character. Without it, all else is vain striving (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). This does not mean we should show love just toward those of our own age. We must show love to all the brethren, even to the world. We manifest our love for our brethren in various ways. We can provide help in innumerable ways to our ecclesias. We can volunteer to help with the work to be done at conventions. We can assist younger children and help in the kitchen at camps. We can become good friends with someone who is perhaps older and lonely. Love for the brethren is something that will be evident by the actions we do for them. Love for the world is different. It is a kind of love related to loving one’s enemy. We are told the world will hate us because of Christ (John 15:19). How can we love people who hate us? The answer lies in the words: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). We must look at the world through God’s eyes if we are to understand how we can love it. We must study the attributes and character of God. If weever find ourselves inadvertently forming a hatred towards someone, we need to remember that God sent his son to die for them too. "An example in faith" Faith seems to be in short supply in the world. More and more people are losing their faith in God. Citizens lack confidence and faith in government. We must stand as pillars of faith in these times of doubt. We must have faith in God and faith that he will carry out his plans and purposes. We can demonstrate our faith in God in many ways. Witnessing is the best way to express our faith to those not in the truth. Even something as simple as saying "God willing" when talking of the future can be a wonderful expression of faith to a nonbeliever. We express our faith in God whenever we refute Darwinian theories or any philosophy that contradicts the beautiful truth of the Divine Plan. We show our faith if we pray in a restaurant or cafeteria before a meal. We show faith to the world by attending ecclesia meetings and conventions because we are setting aside worldly appointments. By living a Christian lifestyle we can be pillars of faith. Our faith in the kingdom affects our thoughts and our actions. When we read of events in Israel or hear of horrible tragedies, we are assured by our faith that the kingdom can and will fix all the problems the world is having today. We know that all the pain and emptiness our friends in the world may have will be healed when they are resurrected in that glorious day. The knowledge of the kingdom affects many decisions we make in our life. It forces us to think in the context of eternity instead of an average human life span. We realize it really is more important to store treasures in heaven than on earth because earthly treasures will soon pass away. It makes us think about time from God’s standpoint. "An example in purity" None of us is truly pure. If we were, we would not need the ransom. Nonetheless we are to strive to be free from sin and fleshly desires. We should seek to be both physically pure and mentally pure. Although harder to obtain, mental purity is the key to building a Christ-like character. Physical purity involves keeping the body pure. We are admonished to do this because we are temples of the holy spirit: "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy spirit that is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:18,19, NASB) In verse 18, Paul specifically addresses sexual purity. Abstinence from sexual activity was once the norm; now it is the exception in social relationships. Yet it is a key principle and a type of the virgin bride of Christ. We canbe examples of purity to those in the world by clearly making known our decisions on this subject. Mental purity involves keeping one’s mind from all evil and sinful thoughts so that one may focus more on God. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8). This Scripture should test what we choose to see, hear, do, or think of to determine if it is pure and will help us maintain the purity of character God wants to see in us. "Show yourself an exampleof those who believe" It is most important to remember that what we do is a reflection of other believers. If we appear to be hypocrites, those in the world may think all the brethren are hypocrites. If we show no love, those in the world may think our heavenly Father has no love. We are truly ambassadors for Christ in every thing we do and every word we say. It is vitally important for us as babes in Christ to study God’s word and maintain our focus on God and his coming kingdom. |