Youth

YOUTH

1. Be happy, young people.

"Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless" (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10).

2. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.

"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them" (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

3. Be sure to go God's way.

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man" (Proverbs 3:1-4).

4. Trust in the Lord; acknowledge Him in all your ways.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

5. Listen to parental instruction for your own good.

"Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck" (Proverbs 1:8-9).
"Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live" (Proverbs 4:1-4).
"My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life, keeping you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of the wayward wife" (Proverbs 6:20-24).

6. Don't despise the Lord's discipline, for He disciplines those He loves (and parents must follow His example).

"My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in" (Proverbs 3:11-12).

7. He who hates correction is stupid.

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid" (Proverbs 12:1).

8. Don't ignore discipline; be thankful for it.

"He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding" (Proverbs 15:32).

9. Love requires discipline.

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him" (Proverbs 13:24).

10. If others entice you, don't consent or yield.

"My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them" (Proverbs 1:10).
"My son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths" (Proverbs 1:15).

11. Avoid the path of the wicked; turn far from it.

"Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way" (Proverbs 4:14-15).

12. Daniel is a good example to follow. As a young man he was carried off to Babylon. There he remained faithful to God at all cost.

"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel..." (Daniel 1:8-9).
Even when he knew that he would be thrown into the den of lions, Daniel kept on praying to his God, against the king's decree (Daniel 6).

13. Honor your father and mother.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise—"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth" (Ephesians 6:1-3).

14. Jesus was obedient to His parents.

"Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart" (Luke 2:51).

15. Flee the evil desires of youth.

"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" (2 Timothy 2:22).