Let No One Despise Your Youth

"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. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." (1 Timothy 4:12, 15).

Let no one despise your youth. God has His way working on earth. Moses was 80 years old when he started his ministry, but God doesn't just work through old people. He also works through young people to accomplish His purposes.

God started working through Joseph in Potiphar's house when he was just 17 years old.

David was still a boy when he overcame the giant of the Philistines.

Josiah became king when he was a mere 8 years old, and chose the Lord when he was 16. At 20 he introduced many godly reforms throughout Judeah, while at 26 he restored the temple of God and started the celebration of the feast of the passover throughout Israel.

There's not enough time to mention all the young people God used like Jeremiah and even Mary the mother of our Lord.

Jesus was God Himself but also man. He was only twelve years old when He spoke with the learned people in the temple. When His mother rebuked Him He answered, "did you not know that I must be about My Father's business", reminding her Who His real Father was.

Maybe as a young person you think that you will commit your life to the Lord when you're old. Then this very service will condemn you.

Timothy found the Lord when he was very young and both his mother and grandmother served the Lord.

If you don't live an exemplary life as a follower of Christ the heathen will despise you.

A certain man said to his minister, "do not be surprised that I only attend your services but do not become a Christian". He then told the minister that he worked for a certain deacon in his church for years, but saw through his hypocrisy. The deacon cheated him, was unfaithful with money and was not an example of how a Christian should live in his manner of speech and conduct.

So too the blood of many people who perish will one day be asked from the hands of so-called Christians who dragged the Lord's Name through the mud by their life and speech.

Avoid whatever has the form of ungodliness.

If you preach the gospel you should shine brighter than the sun. The Bible says we must flee youthful lusts. It doesn't just mean to flee in your thoughts but even physically.

When Billy Graham was still young he called together the group of men that he worked with and they made a number of decisions so that the Gospel won't be despised.

One of them was that they won't be alone in a room or car with another woman other than their wives, or without their wives being present.

Another point was that they will be faithful with money and not lovers of money.

So too we must be an example by our lives to others so that the Lord's Name would be glorified.