Youth who are trying to stand faithfully on the Gospel will likely, at some point, be the target of an accusation that uses their youthfulness and lack of experience to discredit not only their opinion but also their witness and argument for Christ. In 1 Timothy, Paul wrote to a young Timothy to encourage him to stand strong in his ministry, despite his young age: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV). We will take the next two weeks to analyze this verse for application among today’s youth, starting with the first clause: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.”
We should not be taken by surprise when someone, especially someone older than ourselves, attempts to minimize our capabilities and discourage us in our efforts by pointing to our young age. Instead, we should be ready to (humbly) meet this attack head-on.
When looking through Scripture, one will find numerous examples of God’s will being accomplished through young people’s lives, despite the dissenting words and actions of those older and more experienced than they. When the entire Israelite army “retreated from [the Philistine giant, Goliath] terrified,” (1 Samuel 17:24) it was the young David who boldly spoke in a way no one else had the courage to: “Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?… “Don’t let anyone be discouraged by him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!” (1 Samuel 17:26, 32 CSB). When King Saul pointed out the obvious discrepancy in age and experience between the ambitious youth and the veteran fighter: “You can’t go fight this Philistine. You’re just a youth, and he’s been a warrior since he was young” (v. 33), David responded with an astounding degree of boldness: “Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God” (v. 36). David went on to do what no older, more experienced warrior had the courage or ability to do: he confronted and slaughtered Goliath. But David makes very clear why he had such confidence: “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (v. 37). It was not a confidence in himself, but in God.
Every time we share the Gospel, we are to act humbly, “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:16 CSB). We should be even more humble and respectful when sharing the Gospel with someone older than ourselves; even though the power and wisdom of God transcend age, those older do have more experience than we have. Even when we believe them wrong in their convictions, we can often learn from them and should strive to do so. At all times, we should follow in David’s example, knowing that our power does not come from ourselves, but from God: “All those gathered here will know that it is not by spear or sword that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47 NIV). This knowledge gives 1) humility knowing that it is not our doing but His and 2) boldness, knowing that He is with us always (Matthew 28:20) and that He will never forsake us.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV