If I Were Young Again
Introduction: Learning from Mistakes
It is a wise young person who learns from the mistakes of others rather than repeating them all themselves.
A biblical example of seeking God early is King Josiah. He became king at 8 years old and, by the time he was 16, he began to actively seek the Lord. The Bible notes that there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart, soul, and might.
The pivotal years for establishing a Christian worldview are typically between 16 and 20.
1. Develop Good Habits Early
Seek the Lord in Youth: Start developing your relationship with God early, as Ecclesiastes 12:1 instructs.
Establish Spiritual Routines: Habits formed in youth are hard to break. Daniel survived the lions' den because he had built a steadfast habit of praying three times a day from his youth.
Avoid Destructive Vices: Never experiment with addictive substances like tobacco or alcohol. The devil will always tempt you to "try it just once," but addiction can grip you quickly, sometimes starting in early teenage years.
2. Learn All You Can (Sharpen Your Axe)
Memorize Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:15 reminds us that learning the Holy Scriptures from childhood makes one wise for salvation. Your mind is much more pliable when you are young; as you get older, short-term memory naturally declines, making memorization harder.
Cultivate Curiosity: Read constantly, learn a second language, or learn to play a musical instrument. The discipline required for these tasks is incredibly valuable.
Work Smarter: Ecclesiastes 10:10 warns that using a dull axe requires more strength. Wisdom and knowledge "sharpen your axe," making your path in life much smoother.
Example of Benjamin Franklin: Despite lacking a formal education, Benjamin Franklin's insatiable curiosity made him a polymath. He became a renowned scientist, inventor, printer, and diplomat, and he introduced the idea of prayer to Congress. He wasn't afraid to fail, which is a crucial lesson for young people.
3. Practice Humility
Beware of Pride: Pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:19). Stubbornness and the refusal to admit fault destroy relationships and marriages. Learn to apologize, even when you think you are right.
Don't Show Off: Trying to impress others often leads to painful consequences. Pastor Batchelor shares personal stories of suffering physical scars—from a bicycle crash, slipping with a knife, and a diving accident—all because he was trying to show off.
Overcome Insecurity: Another form of pride is being overly obsessed with what others think of you. Many teenagers despair over temporary issues like blemishes, but these things pass.
4. Commit to Purity
Save Sex for Marriage: God designed sexual intimacy strictly for marriage. Though youth brings intense biological urges, self-control is required. You will not die from waiting.
Flee Temptation: As 2 Timothy 2:22 commands, "Flee also youthful lusts". Avoid situations where you are isolated with the opposite sex; stick to large groups to prevent compromise.
5. Pick Your Friends Carefully
The Siphon Effect: Just as connected water tanks balance out to an equilibrium, you will naturally become like the people you spend time with. A spiritually weak friend can easily drag you down to their level.
Surround Yourself with Wisdom: Walk with wise men to become wise (Proverbs 13:20). Pick friends who challenge you to elevate your spiritual and personal standards.
6. Embrace Hard Work
Learn Self-Control: Modern culture sometimes uses "me time" as a cloak for laziness. Learn discipline—taking orders, getting up early, and pushing yourself past your comfort zone.
Bear the Yoke: Lamentations 3:27 says it is good to bear the yoke in your youth. God consistently calls people who are busy working—like Peter fishing, Gideon threshing wheat, and Elisha plowing.
Do It Heartily: Whatever you do, do it with all your might as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
7. Respect Your Elders
Honor Age: Leviticus 19:32 commands us to rise up before the grey-headed. Listen to the wisdom of elders; their nagging is often an attempt to save you from their own mistakes.
Blessing of Longevity: Nations that profoundly respect the elderly, such as Japan, are noted for their great longevity, fulfilling the biblical promise associated with honoring fathers and mothers.
Conclusion: Good News for the Older Generations
Even as the outward body perishes, the inward man is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).
God promises a spiritual renewal of youth (Psalm 103:5, Job 33:25), and ultimately, believers will receive perfect, glorified, and youthful bodies in heaven.