Originally, I wanted to write an article called “Why you are not being taken seriously” or “why your youthful lusts is holding back!” That might’ve been a bit too heavy of a title! Let’s work with the issue of being an example!
Let me give it to you straight! I hear and see many youth asking and demanding respect, and I understand that. But, there’s a right and wrong way to do achieve this. I wrote an article like this here when I wrote “How To Earn Respect From Adults!” A lot of kids, particularly teens, want rights that are adult rated but at kid prices. Think of it as an adult who goes to the movies but because the cost is so expensive they would like to pay children’s prices.
Let’s be honest, everyone has had that period of life (or are coming to it) where they wanted to be treated like an adult, but, they lacked the behavior, thinking and reasoning that came with such responsibility.
For example, me, my cousin and his sister have been cool since the beginning. The picture above this article is me and my cousin…and yes…we are cool! He’s like my little brother. I sense the responsibility and expectation to share with him the very things that will help him to be successful in life and live as God and Christ desires us to live. Its not easy and its not going to be. But, its worth it, especially in the long run.
They are in a place in life where they are curious about life, filled with so many questions and opportunities and willingness to learn. They want to know the ropes regarding how to handle the issues of life and how to live successfully and that’s great! But, they need examples!
Kendall and Xaiver
A lot of bad examples are being set in the world today…period! You can help by living out a different pattern than what the world is offering.
The world is offering fast, instant gratification of anything and everything. The world is offering corrupt and negative speech, corrupt life covered up by fame and fortune, a fake and temporary type of love that has a definition of “me, myself and I,” lack of faith and lack of purity.
Might I offer a different option!?
The message in 1 Timothy 4:12 is not just for the young minister Timothy but for all of us:
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity (NKJV).
For the sake of time, let’s deal with that word “example.” In the text, it means to “become a pattern” or “model of behavior as an example to be initiated.”
When I’m around my cousin Xavier, I strive to live and behave just as God and Christ would call us to. I have shared with him and other young men about what it means to be humble, what it means to live pure, what it means to communicate with people without being rude, ignorant or obnoxious, or what it means to simply listen! Thankfully, I am not the only one doing this.
I didn’t really have this problem too much as a kid. I mean, come on, I hung out with the adults most of the time anyways. It wasn’t until I reached a certain level of my adulthood that I had to get myself sharpened and re-read scriptures like 1 Timothy 4:12, especially when I got into positions of leadership.
I won’t labor on this long, but, it seems like the younger you are harder it is to be taken seriously and be treated as such. I learned of this prejudice very quick!
The best advice on that is this, don’t give them a reason to look down at you!
Immediately set the RIGHT pattern, a Godly and Christ-centered pattern of speech, life, love, faith and purity!
Wanna be taken seriously…start being a better example!
