Let None Despise Your Youth

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe" (1 Tim. 4:12).

It never fails. Anytime a young Christian is involved in a disagreement with an older Christian, the first thing to pop into the young Christian's head (if not out of his mouth) is "Let no one despise your youth . . ."

Unfortunately, it takes maturity to understand that 1) not every dispute involving a young Christian can be solved simply by the older person looking at the younger's point of view, and 2) there is far more to this verse than just the first clause.

Paul does not provide Timothy with an instant shield ("Let no one despise your youth") to be brandished at every turn. What Paul provides is advice on how to ensure that no one dismisses Timothy simply because he is young.

That advice is difficult, because it involves much more action on Timothy's part than on the part of anyone else. "In speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." In other words, if you, a young Christian, want your ideas and thoughts concerning the scriptures to be respected, prove yourself worthy of respect. Prove yourself worthy by showing people that you understand (and are willing to act on your understanding) that it is of foremost importance to live the life of a Christian. Let others see, in your speech for instance, someone willing to shun the habits of worldliness, vulgarity and profanity. Let others see your conduct as an example of someone who has made Christ the guiding force in their lives. Paul tells Timothy to let others see him live for Jesus, and then he will earn their respect, despite his youthfulness.

The flip side is this: A young Christian who fails to divorce himself from the gross immorality of the world, who fails to master sin (Gen. 4:7), and instead lives a life defined by the foolishness of disobedience to God, will find that his youthfulness is despised, that he is looked upon as a young fool who lacks sufficient wisdom to make a stand for God.

This issue of Abundant Life is dedicated to helping young people understand their mission as Christians. We have taken the five concepts presented by Paul to Timothy and attempted to expound upon them, explaining how the young person committed to these principles will find that even the older Christians will hold them up as "examples of those who believe."

Young people, it is our prayer and our desire for you that you live out the words of Paul's teaching, so that others will see young people with hearts and minds committed to Christ and willing to serve Him. In that way, others will be brought to Him through your example.