YOUTH OF TODAY


INTRODUCTION

Youth of today without Bible knowledge, or conviction, can readily be influenced by an immoral society that targets such through indoctrination. We are seeing the results of such ungodly persuasion though many individuals appointed to positions of authority or placed in office by the voting public.  

The youth of today are targeted because they are easily influenced with little regard towards an older generation's influence.  In the Book of Timothy the Greek word for youth applied to men 40 years of age and younger. 


Youth of Today
Counsel of Older Generation

Scripture reveals that a newly crowned King forsook the counsel of the older men, who had advised his father (King Solomon), instead consulted with the young men he had grown up with, and heeded their advice.  Scripture reveals:  He forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him (1 Kings 12:8).

Through receiving the wrong advice the king became an even greater taskmaster than his father with the people of the land revolting and rejecting him as king!  Scripture reveals that he had spoke to them after (according to) the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions (scourges with points) (1 Kings 12:14). 

In our present day setting we are seeing the wisdom of an older generation being brushed aside; with newly proclaimed ways of a younger generation being adopted!

Generation Z
Least Religious

There is a tendency to withdraw from sound biblical instruction through leaning towards more lucrative ways.  A study found Generation Z (those born in the 90's through the early 2000's) to be the least religious and less likely to attend church services!  

The most common reason, among those in that category, was that "church is not relevant to me personally" and that they would "find God elsewhere."  It was noted that tragically, most of the 7.5 billion people on earth do not live in a right relationship with God. These statistics reveal there is a withdrawing of young and old alike from a consecrated walk with God!

A New Generation

A-Lost-Generation

We are seeing a new generation moving away from the oracles of Biblical teachings rather than allegiance to the Word of God.  The youth of today are giving over to a cultural shift that no longer holds the Biblical values of yesteryear. 

The Apostle Paul wrote: Thanks be to God which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, inasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain (futile) in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).  Flee youthful lusts; follow (pursue) after righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22).

The writer of the 119th Psalm: Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to your word (the Word of God). With my whole heart have I sought you: O let me not wander from your commandments (Psalm 119:9-10).  It is sad that many youth of today fail to recognize the importance of adhering to God's Word; but thank God for those who have come to such a realization!

Past and Present
Influences

An encyclopedia noted some past influences towards the youth:  One was an organization set up by Adolf Hitler for educating and training male youth in Nazi principles; it later became a state agency that all German youth were expected to join!  This was back in the 30's but there is remnant who are still influenced by such today.

In the 60's there was a youth subculture, in many countries, viewed as extreme right-wing nationals with racist views.  They rejected any youthful counterculture movement towards decency in behavior, peace and love, with deliberate cultivated aspects of behavior that was far removed from such an ideal. 

More recently a news article expounded on the youth of today acceptability towards the promotion of ungodliness.  The headline: Scouts doing a disservice to boys and girls.  The Boy Scouts latest announcement blurs gender distinctions should convince parents to exercise more care in choosing youth groups for their children.

There are youth organizations, both in the past and present, that promote a culture of life based on individual rights, family involvement, and personal development, that benefit a godly society rather than tear it down. The youth of today need to adopt such traits rather than any anti-establishment agenda being promoted!

Weighed in the
Balance

Those who would mislead the youth of today; through vain words and seduction, may be found weighed in the balances and found wanting as proclaimed to King Belshazzar (Daniel 5:26-28).  Youth of today, who forsake the Word of God, live in ungodly lifestyles, are likewise held accountable, unless they come to the acknowledgment of the truth, and repent of the wrong (sin) committed!   

Apostle John wrote: If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  It was noted that we should not deny our sins but rather confess them before God. This opens the door for His forgiveness and cleansing light to purify our hearts.  

If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father (God), Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2).  It was noted that advocate is a legal term for one who intercedes for another; propitiation is an atoning sacrifice, which was accomplished through Christ on the Cross of Calvary.  

Apostle Paul wrote: Being made free from sin, we become servants (dedicated) to God, having our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:22-23).  Apostle John: He that believes on the Son  (the Lord Jesus Christ) has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides (remains) on him (John 3:36).

Pursuing a Right
Course

Freedom-from-Bondage

Scripture gives advice to the youth (also the youth of today): Rejoice, O young man in your mouth; and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways (impulses) of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes); but know you, that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.  Therefore remove sorrow (vexation) from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh; for childhood and youth are vanity (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10).

Encouragement to the youth was given as well as a warning to pursue the right course in life and avoid any obstacles that would trip one up. There are many who would attempt to distract the youth of today from the ways of righteousness; towards the appeasement of the flesh, and one is not to be caught in their trap of deceit!

Wise Unto Salvation

Apostle Paul instructed Timothy, a young evangelist, to continue in the things which you have learned, and have been assured of; knowing of whom you have learned them; and that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which is able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

Let no man despise your youth (look down upon it); but be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation (conduct), in charity (love), in spirit (proper attitude), in faith (trusting God), and in purity (sexual purity and integrity) (1 Timothy 4:12).  The Apostle John wrote: I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one (Satan) (1 John 2:14). 

Apostle John admonishes one to love not the world, neither the things that are in the world:  If any man love the world, the love of the Father (God) is not in him.  For all that are 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.  And the world passes away, and the lust thereof; but he that does the will of God abides forever (1 John 2:15-17).  World signifies the evil desire and sin so much a part of human existence.  

The youth of today; as leaders of tomorrow, can become a valuable asset to society; if nourished in the Word of God, rather than seduced by a sinful society that seeks to attract one towards an ungodly lifestyle!

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