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(Authors Note: This is the second part of a series of posts looking at the 4th Chapter of I Timothy, verses 12-16. While I try to typically make posts devotional in nature, this one seems like it is turning more into a study. Fault my inexperience at writing…but don’t despise my 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.

Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

You! Yeah you! Are you that example? Let’s look at what he says here a little closer.

“..an example in word, in conversation.” How’s your conversations been lately? Are they full of triviality and idleness, or are they filled with Godly edifying? This is not to say that you never should speak out of fun, or laugh, or joke, but have you considered if your speech and conversations could be considered an example to other believers? Have you noticed that you use a little vulgarity or “slang” or taking the name of the Lord in vain? Paul has told this young brother in the Lord, to be an example in word. There are so many scriptures on speaking the right things, and “bridling our tongues”, Paul tells us to be an example of this type of behavior not vulgarity or slang.

“…in charity…” Have you shown love to others? Sure maybe to your brothers and sisters but how about the bum on the street? Have you been an example of Godly charity? Young sisters, are you fighting and bickering with each other? Are there other young sisters that are “rude” and hence you don’t have anything to do with them? Are there others that don’t fit your “class” or “social status”? Or, as Paul has commanded, are you an example of Charity. You love everyone, no matter their status, or what they have “done to you”.

“…in spirit…” In church, none can match your passion for worship and praising the name of Jesus. In life, you seem to make the right decisions based on prayer and God’s will. You are an example “in spirit”. Romans 8:12 tells us “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Are you an example “in spirit”??

“…in faith…” Do you find that you are up and down sometimes… “Well, yesterday I really believed God…but today, I don’t know…it’s all so jumbled…I don’t know what I believe.” You would be well advised to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” if so. Yes, you are called to be an example “in faith”, resting upon the Word of God in full assurance that what He said, is nothing but the TRUTH. When He says you are healed, you believe you are healed. When He says you are a child of the King, you say “Amen, That’s ME!”

“…in purity…” This one, I believe, is very critical for us. We MUST be that example of purity. Not only for the good of those seeing us, but for ourselves as well. Brothers, Sisters…are you an EXAMPLE of purity. Are you one that sets the standard? I remember a young couple in my church growing up that did not even hold hands until they were engaged. What an example! Extreme you say? Which would you rather be…an “example…in purity” or wondering how you let the bar down so far, and are now wishing you would have never started things down that path. Be the example…show yourself, the young believers around you, and the world, that you will NOT let down the standard when it comes to purity. YOU are to be the example of purity in this day.

EXAMPLES! Paul tells us to be EXAMPLES. Not just your, average, run of the mill, ho-hum believer…but an example! One that is looked towards as the standard!

Next Post: “giving attendance” coming soon!

(Authors Note: This is the first part of a series of posts looking at the 4th Chapter of I Timothy, verses 12-16. While I try to typically make posts devotional in nature, this one seems like it is turning more into a study. Fault my inexperience at writing…but don’t despise my youth!)

Timothy was a guy like me. Young, raised in the message. Timothy had faith, and a heart to serve the Lord. I think if many of us young people look at his life, we’ll find that Timothy was much like us. Paul tells him “let no man despise thy youth” (v 12), so we know Timothy was a young person at the time Paul wrote to Him. We also can surmise that Timothy “grew up in the message”. In II Timothy Paul says: “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” (II Tim 1:5) His grandmother and mother were both believers. He probably grew up hearing about Paul and Paul’s message. So as I said, Timothy was a guy like me, like you, like many of the young people in this message today.

Paul said some really good things to Timothy about how to behave, act, and what He should be doing with His life. I figure if it was good advice for Timothy, since many of us are in the same position as Timothy was, it would be good advice for us.

Paul’s advice to Timothy in one chapter was this:

I TIMOTHY 4:12
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.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Today we’ll dig deeper into the twelfth verse and then on subsequent posts, we’ll take a look at some of the points of the other verses.

Paul says: “Let no man despise thy youth;”

Just because you are young, doesn’t mean that you aren’t spirit filled or spirit led. Just because you are young, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be doing things for the Lord. Paul is telling Timothy that even though he’s young, it doesn’t mean he can’t do things for the Lord. Sometimes God can use our “inexperience” because it means we don’t have any of our own “experience” to get in God’s way. Even though you are young…God can use you.

Look at Elihu in the book of Job. Elihu was the youngest of the 4 visitors Job had. Take a look at His words in Job

JOB 32:7 – 8
7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Read that whole chapter…it’s great really. Elihu is very eloquent.

Keep in mind, Elihu was respectful to those older than Him. He allowed them to speak first, and listened intently to what they had to say. He didn’t have a “I’m young and smarter than you old starchy people” attitude…He had respect, but he also told them that God’s Spirit is what counts the most and proceeded to speak in such a way that Job saw a vision of Calvary.

So don’t let the fact that you are young, keep you from doing something for the Lord. Now is the time you have to get out and do things, before you have any “responsibilities of this life” to hold you back. If you are young and single, you have so many opportunities to serve the Lord. Don’t let anyone, least of all yourself, despise your youth. It is a benefit, not a hindrance as long as you have the Spirit within you.

Next Post: “be thou an example” coming soon!