Good Advice For Young People
King David's charge to his son Solomon, age 12, when he was anointed King in 1 Kings 2:2-3:
"Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn."
Uzziah became King at 16; his son Jotham at 25; Hezekiah (who reopened the temple, restored temple worship and the celebration of Passover) at 25. Josiah became King at 8, purified Judah at 16, and discovered the Book of the Law, restored the temple, and celebrated Passover again at 26.
Psalm 119:9-11
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Proverbs 4:25-27
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
Job 8:8
Ask the previous generation, and pay attention to what their fathers discovered.
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Titus 2:6
Encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
1 John 2:14b
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
Jeremiah 1:6-8
(Jeremiah) said, "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the Lord said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord."
John Calvin's 1800 page "Institutes of the Christian Religion" was published when he was 27.
Issac Watts wrote his first hymn “Behold the Glories of the Lamb” at age 22.
David Brainerd began his missionary work to the Native Americans of New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey at age 25; dying of tuberculosis, exhaustion and malnutrition at age 29.
Jonathan Edwards compiled his "Resolutions" age 17-23, and at age 24 joined his grandfather Solomon Stoddard at his Congregationalist church in Northampton as "scholar-pastor".
A Narrative of the Revival of Religion in New England
There is not so much difference before God, between children and grown persons, as we are ready to imagine; we are all poor, ignorant, foolish babes in his sight. Our adult age does not bring us so much nearer to God as we are apt to think.
George Whitefield preached his first sermon at St. Mary De Crypt Church, Gloucester at 23.
John Wesley (and his brother Charles) started the "Holy Club" at Oxford at 26.
Henry Martyn, inspired by Brainerd's Diary and William Carey, arrived in Calcutta at age 25 as one of Pastor Simeon's East India Company chaplains. He translated the New Testament and Anglican Book of Common Prayer into Hindi, and the NT and Psalms into Persian. He died of tuberculosis at age 31.
David Brown came to India at age 23 as a chaplain to the brigade at Fort William in Calcutta. He remained in India 28 years and established a translation library in Bengal with 4000 volumes in Arabic, Persian, Hindustani, Bengali, Chinese, Portuguese, and English.
Adoniram Judson, at 25, became the first Baptist missionary sent from North America to India (1812), then Burma (1813). He and William Carey were instrumental in the formation of the American Baptist Missionary Union.
William Chalmers Burns was 24 and just licensed to preach in 1839 when he was used by God to bring revival to Dundee and Kilsyth. In 1847 he became the first Presbyterian missionary to China.
William Booth preached his first sermon at age 17, and was immediately licensed by the New Wesleyan Connexion. 19 years later he established the East London (Christian) Revival Society, later the Salvation Army.
George Williams was 22 when he gathered other London draper's assistants in 1844 to establish what became the Young Men's Christian Association "To unite young men who, regarding Jesus Christ as their God and Saviour according to the Holy Scriptures, desire to be His disciples...for the extension of His Kingdom among men."
Dwight L. Moody was born again at age 18, and his prayer thereafter was "Great God, let the world learn, through my life, what Thou canst do by a man wholly devoted to Thee!"
John Milton wrote on his 23rd birthday:
"Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow,
It shall be still in strictest measure even
To that same lot, however mean or high,
Toward which Time leads me and the will of Heaven.
All is, if I have grace to use it so,
As ever in my great Taskmaster's eye."
F.B. Meyer Our Daily Walk
Christ's Call comes specially to the young - to Henry Martyn amid his books, to David Livingstone at his loom, to Carey at his cobbler's bench, to Mary Slessor in the Scottish factory, and to many another. Young people have a marvellous power of acquiring languages, and mastering any difficulties of country, race, or condition, and what other men and women are doing for fame, position, and wealth, (they are doing) for Jesus.
(David Livingstone was a Scottish physician, Congregationalist, and missionary with the London Missionary Society who went to Bechuanaland at age 27. Mary Slessor was a Scottish Presbyterian, who, upon hearing of David Livingstone's death in 1873, left for Nigeria at age 28. She ministered among the Efik & Okoyong and fought to end the practice of twin infanticide.)
The Last and Heavenly Speeches, and Glorious Departure, of John, Viscount Kenmure
Because you are but a young man, beware of temptations and snares; and above all, be careful to keep yourself in the use of means (of grace); resort to good company; and howbeit you be nicknamed a Puritan, and mocked, yet care not for that, but rejoice and be glad, that (you) are scorned and scoffed by this godless and vain world.
Matthew Henry “Sober Mindedness, Pressed Upon Young People” “A Discourse on Titus 2:6”
https://books.google.com/books?id=jf79zXtl7mEC&pg=PA58&lpg
A great statesman in Queen Elizabeth's time retired from public life in his latter days, and gave himself up to serious thought. His former gay companions came to visit him, and told him he was becoming melancholy: "No," he replied, "I am serious; for all are serious round about me. God is serious in observing us, - Christ is serious in interceding for us, the Spirit is serious in striving with us,--the truths of God are serious, - our spiritual enemies are serious in their endeavours to ruin us,--poor lost sinners are serious in hell; - and why then should not you and I be serious too?"
Thomas Boston, An Illustration of the Doctrines of the Christian Religion, With Respect to Faith and Practice, 1804
Give away yourselves to God through Jesus Christ, making an hearty, a cheerful, and an entire dedication and surrender of your souls and bodies, and all that ye are and have, to him as your God and Father, resolving to obey him all the days of your life: that as he made you for his glory, you may in some measure answer the end of your creation, which is to shew forth his praise.
Brownlow North “Six Short Rules for Young Christians”, c. 1858
1. Never neglect daily private prayer; and when you pray, remember that God is present, and that he hears your prayers (Hebrews 11:6).
2. Never neglect daily private Bible-reading; and when you read, remember that God is speaking to you, and that you are to believe and act upon what he says.
I believe all backsliding begins with neglect of these two rules (John 5:39).
3. Never let a day pass without trying to do something for Jesus. Every night reflect on what Jesus has done for you, and then ask yourself, "What am I doing for him?" (Matthew 5:13-16).
4. If you are in doubt as to a thing being right or wrong, go to your room, and kneel down and ask God’s blessing upon it (Colossians 3:17). If you cannot do this, it is wrong (Romans 14:23).
5. Never take your Christianity from Christians, or argue that because such and such people do so and so, that therefore you may (2 Corinthians 10:12). You are to ask yourself, "How would Christ act in my place?" and strive to follow him (John 10:27).
6. Never believe what you feel, if it contradicts God’s word. Ask yourself, "Can what I feel be true, if God’s word is true?" and if both cannot be true, believe God, and make your own heart the liar (Romans 3:4; 1 John 5:10-11).
C.H. Spurgeon was called to pastor New Park Street Chapel (later the Metropolitan Tabernacle) in London at age 20.
People are continually warning young men of their danger. (2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace…) We, who are young, are in the greatest danger; and, therefore, God upholds us to show the power of his grace; but some of you older folk conceive that you are not in peril; and, therefore, God suffers you to fall, that he may stain the pride of your self-glorying, and let you see that it is not anything in flesh, neither age, nor standing, nor rank, nor condition, which ensures our safety; but that “he holdeth up the humble, and casteth down the proud.” (Psalm 147:6) If you turn to the pages of Scripture, you will notice that, wherever there has been a lamentable fall, — as in the case of Peter, — it has been a man who has grown up, and become strong in years.
God thus shows us that it is not mere years that can teach us grace, — in fact, that years, and age, and learning, and talent, have nothing to do with grace; and he could, if he pleased, take a child six years old, and pour wisdom and knowledge into the lips of that child that could puzzle the seers of this world. He often takes the most unlikely instruments, and uses them for the accomplishment of his purposes; and because men have said that experimental preachers must have grey heads, he says, “Nay; it shall be a youth who shall lead the multitude; it shall be a child, out of whose mouth I will pour words of wisdom, for I will overthrow all human glory, and show mankind that it is not the preacher who is to be praised, but God.” (Isaiah 11) Salvation is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth; but it is God that showeth mercy. (Romans 9:16) It is not the man who preaches, who accomplishes the work; but God working through the man.
The church needs young blood in its veins. Our strength for holding the faith may lie in experienced saints, but our zeal for propagating it must be found in the young.
“Young Man! A Prayer for You”
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/young-man-a-prayer-for-you/#flipbook/
If we had to meet the devil, and knew him to be what he is, we might far more easily conquer him; but we have to deal with him disguised as an angel of light, and here is the need of an hundred eyes, each one of them opened by God, that we may see. (2 Corinthians 11:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:9)
Pray, O my brethren, for our young men who have sinned, that they may be restored; and for those who are as yet ignorant, that they may be enlightened; for the cause of God has need of these, and in these the church shall find her champions! Little know we the wealth of comfort for the faithful which may lie in one young life. Surely, we ought to pile on our prayers, and make our intercession flame like some great beacon-light for the rising youth of our time.
Zeta, Daily Thoughts on Christ Alone, 1869
Dear young reader, have you come to Jesus, the True Wisdom, to guide you through this world? Then happy are you. He will safely lead you; in every perplexity, he will be your guide. Amidst the dangers, temptations, fascinations of this world, which are besetting your path, he will keep you; and from the subtle errors by which so many are drawn away, by keeping near to Christ the True Wisdom you will be safe.
Thomas Guthrie & William Blaikie, Saving Knowledge: Addressed To Young Men, 1870
https://books.google.com/books?id=_ZdUAAAAYAAJ
Let every day see some sin crucified, some battle fought, some good done, some victory won. Let every fall be followed by a rise, and every step gained become, not a resting place, but a new starting point for further and higher progress.
Rosalind Marryat Steps to Christian Manhood, or Daily Words for Our Boys, 1878
G. Campbell Morgan
“The Limitations of Liberty” on 1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23
I sometimes think I would have these words, “All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any,” printed so that every young man could see them. All things are yours, but ye are Christ's. Keep that balance of relationship and you are safe; change it and you are in peril. Christ is your Master, and all things are lawful to you, but you must not let them master you; for if once the innocent, legitimate, proper thing becomes master it is no longer innocent, it is absolutely illegitimate, it is unutterably improper.
"Submission and Responsibility" on Matthew 8:9
J.C. Ryle
Thoughts for Young Men
http://www.gracegems.org/BOOKS/thoughts_for_young_men.htm
Reasons for Exhorting Young Men
The Upper Room, Being a Few Truths for the Times, Chapter XIX Titus 2:6 “Thoughts For Young Men”
https://www.ccel.org/ccel/ryle/upper_room.xxi.html
Satan knows well that you will make up the next generation, and therefore he employs every art betimes to make you his own. You are those on whom he plays off all his choicest temptations. You are the grand object of his attack. You are the prize for which he is specially contending. He foresees you must either be the blessings or the curses of your (generation).
Holiness "Lot - A Beacon" (Highly Recommended)
http://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/holiness10.htm
Make a wrong choice in life, an unScriptural choice, and settle yourself down unnecessarily in the midst of worldly people — and I know no surer way to damage your own spirituality and to go backward about your eternal concerns. This is the way to make the pulse of your soul, beat feebly and languidly. This is the way to make the edge of your feeling about sin, become blunt and dull. This is the way to dim the eyes of your spiritual discernment, until you can scarcely distinguish good from evil, and stumble as you walk. This is the way to bring a moral palsy on your feet and limbs, and make you go tottering and trembling along the road to Zion.
I solemnly warn you not to attempt doing what never can be done — I mean, to serve Christ — and yet keep in with the world. I call upon you and beseech you . . .
to be a whole-hearted Christian,
to follow after eminent holiness,
to aim at a high degree of sanctification,
to live a consecrated life,
to present your body a "living sacrifice" unto God, and to "walk in the Spirit" (Romans 12:1; Galatians 5:25).
"Remember Lot's Wife"
http://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/holiness11.htm
Beware of a half-hearted religion! Beware of following Christ from any secondary motive, to please relations and friends, to keep in with the custom of the place or family in which you reside, to appear respectable and have the reputation of being religious. Follow Christ for His own sake, if you follow Him at all. Be thorough, be real, be honest, be sound, be whole-hearted. If you have any religion at all — let your religion be real.
Practical Christianity, “The World: A Source Of Great Danger To The Soul”
https://www.faithbiblechurchnh.org/ryle_world.htm
It is not open sin, or open unbelief, which robs Christ of His professing servants, so much as the love of the world, the fear of the world, the cares of the world, the business of the world, the money of the world, the pleasures of the world, and the desire to keep in with the world. This is the great rock on which thousands of young people are continually being crushed against and destroyed.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Never do anything which you know perfectly well is going to be the means of temptation to you. If you know that certain things, which may not be bad in and of themselves, generally get you down and you are a worse person afterwards than you were before, do not do them; never, as it were, provide yourself with the occasion to sin.
A.W. Tozer The Size of the Soul
Question: I am a university student and my problem is this: If I study enough to pass my tests I have a feeling of guilt for having neglected my prayer life. If I pray enough to satisfy my heart I neglect my studies. What shall I do?
Here is my advice: Consecrate your studies to God as a living sacrifice. Ask Him to accept your intellectual labors as an offering of love. To the spiritual man everything is sacred; nothing is secular.
Begin to think of your college work as intellectual worship acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. This will make the dullest subject enjoyable and, incidentally, it will sharpen your brain so you can grasp difficult ideas a lot more easily.
The notion that prayer is to be made in retirement only is erroneous. That prayer which consists of an address to the Deity is only one kind of prayer. A well-lived life is a prayer if it is lived in the faith of Christ. The hands may pray by doing honest work, the feet by carrying us to that work; sleep can be prayer when it refreshes us to serve our fellow men and eating may be prayer if it is done with thanksgiving.
There is no reason to doubt that your college studies are an acceptable form of spiritual service. Of course, you should spend as much time as possible in prayerful retirement; only don’t get under bondage to it. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Ecclesiastes 11:9, 12:1 (ESV)
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
Remember your creator in the days of your youth!
2 Timothy 3:14-15 (HCSB)
Continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 24:6
Let it be said "Such is (this) generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God"
On Remembrance of the Sins of Youth
Lord Kinloch (William Penney), Thoughts of Christ for Every Day of the Year
Psalm 25:7 “Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways.”
It happens at times with the best of Christians, that his sins of youth rise up like spectres to overshadow and appall him. His first impulse is to wish that they could be blotted out from all remembrance. It is a better thought which comes over him, when he remembers that it was amidst these sins themselves that Christ came to him to speak pardon and peace. His remembrance is then not only of sin, but of mercy.
CAUTION
St. Basil the Great
To believe one does not need counsel is great pride.
WARNING
William Wordsworth "Ode: Intimations of Immortality"
Shades of the prison house begin to close on the growing boy.
(That prison is bondage to sin, Satan, self and the world.)
1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived. Bad company corrupts good morals/character.
(Show me your friends and social media, and I'll show you your future.)