GOD'S WISDOM
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

 

      Youth is both an exciting and challenging time in life. This is a time of many changes and opportunities. At any age, life at its best is life lived for God. God's wisdom for young people is found in the Bible. The book of Proverbs is rich in God's teaching for young people. God through Solomon says:

 

      BE WILLING TO RESPECT THE TEACH-ING AND INSTRUCTION OF YOUR PARENTS: "My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother." (Proverbs 1:8.) Children who do not listen to their parents bring misery to themselves and to their parents.

 

      RESIST THE COMPANY OF SINNERS: "My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent." (Proverbs 1:10.) It is still true - "evil compan­ions corrupt good morals."

 

      RECEIVE WISDOM AND UNDER-STANDING: "My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding." (Proverbs 2:1-2.) Through receiving God's word and treasuring His commandments you receive both wisdom and understanding.

 

      RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF GOD'S COMMANDMENTS AND KEEP THEM: "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart." (Proverbs 4:20-21.) Obedience to God is a les­son young people should learn early in life. God blesses the obedient and punishes the disobedi­ent.

 

      REFRAIN FROM WICKEDNESS: "A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death." (Proverbs 10:1-2.) Wickedness will be a grief to your parents. Wickedness profits noth­ing!

      REFUSE WINE AND STRONG DRINK: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1.) Alcohol and other drugs are working havoc among our young. Let all refuse that which destroys internally, externally and eternally.

 

      REALIZE THE VALUE OF A GOOD NAME: "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold." (Proverbs 22:1.) Your honesty and integrity will give you a "good name". Do nothing to destroy that name - work hard, pay your debts, be fair, be real!

 

      RULE YOUR OWN SPIRIT: "Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls." (Proverbs 25:28.) Young people, please hear me! If you do not control your spirit - temper, actions, thoughts...etc. it will lead to your ruin.

 

      "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, 'I have no pleasure in them': While the sun and the light, the moon and the stars, are not darkened, and the clouds do not return after the rain." (Ecclesiastes 12:1-2.) Youth is the time our service to God should begin. Young people should believe, repent and be baptized into Christ. (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:15-16.) Young people should use their energies for God and not for Satan. Remember, the old must die and the young do die, so get ready!

 

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P.O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA

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