# To All Young People Inspirations for Youth Language: en Author: Kenneth Hopkins Greenville, OH Original issue: The Heartbeat of the Remnant, Fall 2021, Number 3 Source pages: 24–25 Read article: Original PDF: Fall\-2021\-Remnant\(1\)\.pdf [The Heartbeat of the Remnant, Fall 2021]() I enjoy interacting with young people, whether it’s working together on a jobsite or sharing about things of a spiritual nature\. I find myself being stimulated by young people\. They have sharp perception, agile mobility, quick responses, and energetic pursuit of plans, all of which is admirable when directed in the right manner\. *The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head –Proverbs 20:29\.* I am not revealing my age, only that I am still a young man myself when compared to eternity\. God has much to say to you young people as you advance from depending entirely upon your parents, to assuming responsibility for your own course in life\. *But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself… –Daniel 1:8\.* Whether you’re aware of it or not, your early life’s experiences and the way you choose to respond to them will have much to do with the way you face your battles later in life\. God is not wanting to stand in the way of all your youthful desires \(provided they are godly desires\)\. He is more concerned about the long\-term results of your choices, than He is about your short\-term satisfaction\. Most middle age and older people who struggle with situations in life, are struggling because of an earlier experience\. While we thank God for His forgiveness through repentance and faith in the cleansing blood of Jesus, a fruit\-bearing life in Christ Jesus is a life where sin does not reign\. *What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid\. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? … Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof –Romans 6:1\-12\.* This is known as Christian warfare, or the battle ground\. This is where the mighty power of God is displayed in calling sinful men to a walk of holiness through the power of the Holy Ghost\. It has been said, we are not on a cruise ship, but a battleship\. I am amazed at how much of Jesus’ teachings and parables are to young people\. For lasting fulfillment in life, I’m pleading with each young person to commit in their heart to not defile themselves—*For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world –1 John 2:16\.* Consider, after all of Solomon’s experience with sin, these words: *Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard –Proverbs 13:15\.* It is true that God created humanity to serve Him, and any advancement otherwise is often followed with negative consequences\. I am not big on giving check lists, but I will suggest a formula as a start\. First, begin with Bible reading and Bible study early in life\. If you are older and have not done so, it is never too late to start—begin now\. Even if there’s sin in your life, it’s not too late to pursue God while He gives you understanding\. *Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word –Psalm 119:9\.* The apostle John explains why he has written to the young men of his day, *…I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one –1 John 2:14\.* The flesh is always revealed in weakness; all strength comes from the Lord who gives life\. These young men were strong because they had the word of God abiding in them and through God’s strength, they were experiencing victory with life’s battles\. John not only commends them but encourages them to continue in the Lord’s strength as he further admonishes these young men against lusting after the world: *Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world\. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him –1 John 2:15\.* ![An open Bible beside dried flowers and grasses]() While God’s Word introduces God to us and what He has done to reach us, knowing God reveals who we are along with our own weaknesses\. This is how He calls us to conviction and repentance\. Many people stop short of yielding their whole life to God to walk with Him in holiness, thus hindering His work of grace in their life, which also hinders their witness to others for Him\. Many Bible studies of our day emphasize the goodness of God, which is needful, but they stop short of revealing our sin nature and calling us to repentance\. Let’s examine what the Bible says about lusts\. Lusts are defined as a desire or craving for that which is forbidden\. Notice the end results of lusts\. Paul tells young Timothy to: *Flee also youthful lusts… –2 Timothy 2:22\.* Notice this is not speaking about a sin act, but the desire or craving thereof\. Paul cautions young Timothy concerning worldly gain calling it …hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition –1 Timothy 6:9\. and to *…abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul –1 Peter 2:11\.* Notice this is fleeing from the desire, or the attraction before any sin is committed\. *But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed\. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death –James 1:14\-15,* This shows the downward spiral of living with lust\. God did not intend for us to live in the misery of bondage to lusts\. Secondly, develop a prayer life with your Creator, God\. Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount, *Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened –Matthew 7:7\-8\.* John reiterates Jesus’ call to prayer as he closes his 1st epistle\. *And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him –1 John 5:14\-15\.* What an offer, what a promise\! If you have unholy desires and attractions, pour out your heart in confession to God asking Him for cleansing by the Blood of Jesus\. Be completely honest, and specific with your confession\. To ask, requires humility by depending upon, and trusting a source other than yourself\. You may need to ask repeatedly\. *Be careful \[troubled\] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God –Philippians 4:6\.* If you can’t find relief, choose a trusted prayer partner to pray with you\. You don’t have to live with unholy desires; thank God He has offered a means to overcome lusts\. God promises peace and joy to anyone who gives their life entirely to Him\. May God empower you: *Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ –2 Corinthians 10:5\.* And, *If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed –John 8:36\.* God Bless us all as we continue walking with Him in faithfulness\. ## Magazine citation - [An open Bible beside dried flowers and grasses](): Unsplash\.com