Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
When was the last time you felt small because of what someone else said or did? When we feel inferior to others, various reactions arise naturally. We may be defensive and desire to prove them wrong or give up because we become discouraged. In both responses, the perception of others impacts how we live and what we do. In this passage, Paul encouraged Timothy to stay steadfast in his faith and how he lived, even when people looked down on him because of his age. It is easy to be persuaded by what other people think or even change what we do because of what others believe about us. Words from others for good and bad impact our direction and the choices we make, but as Christ’s followers we can hold on to this encouragement of Paul and to God’s calling and direction regardless of how others perceive us.
We should also take this into account as we interact with Christians who are younger than us. Matthew 19:13-14 says, “Then some children were brought to Him so that He would lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, ‘Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” The disciples disregard these children because of their age, but Jesus saw them as valuable. He is ready to receive and use all who surrender to Him. We ought not limit ourselves or look down on others based on age but grow and learn alongside each other at every stage of life with Jesus.
- What makes it natural to look down on those younger and with less life experience than us?
- What does it look like to “show yourself an example of those who believe”? How do you do that?
- Pray and thank God for desiring to use and grow you at every stage of life.
