The Glory of Young Men

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The Glory of Young Men
Proverbs 20:29
The Glory of Youth
That is to say the beauty, the ornament, the good thing!
The valuable thing about youth is the strength that accompanies it.
The body is fresh and agile. The mind is sharp and malleable.
Firstly, the Dangers of Youth
Pride, Self Importance, Foolishness, and Fleeting.
The Strength Used Negatively
Many use the blessing of strength to indulge in sinful pleasures.
The pursuit of the world and greed (Proverbs 23:1-5).
Violence for gain (especially over the weak) (Proverbs 1:10-19)
Fulfilling their lusts (vain-glory, contention, pride, ambition & sensual desires) (2 Timothy 2:22)
The wasting away of this gift:
Using it for ungodly pursuits is a waste. (1 Timothy 4:8-12 - Outward mortification without inward change)
(v10) The young man can endure labor and hardship much more than the aged - and if it be for godliness sake, it is good.
(v12) Timothy was a minister, but we are all ambassadors.
Not using it productively (Proverbs 24:30-34)
Physical laziness leads to a messy livelihood.
Spiritual laziness leads to ungodliness, inconformity to Christ, and besetting sins. Ungodly habits lead to ungodliness, yet godly habits lead to godliness.
The Strength Used Positively
Applying our mind to God’s word (Proverbs 4:1-4)
Serving God and His people.
Laboring for the cause of Christ with the strength He has given in our youth.
The Glory of Age
Wisdom is what makes the aged beautiful.
The experience gathered and godliness gained.
Firstly, The Transition
Youth that is wasted will often lead to an old age that is fruitless.
What a man is when he is young is too often indicative of what he will be when he is old. Age itself does not garner Biblical wisdom, but devotion to God and His word does.
Many old people are crippled by bitterness, contaminated by their wasted past, and enslaved to their sin.
The Beauty of Wisdom
To encourage other believers.
To help others avoid sin and walk in paths of righteousness (Titus 2:1-8)
To glorify God in daily conduct.
To rejoice in the fruit of their youthful godliness and labor.
How Does One Do This?
Believe upon Jesus Christ today. (All instruction is profitless apart from this)
Obey God’s Word (Psalm 119:1-16)
Let us not waste our youth, but use the strength God has given us for His glory. As He may bless us with wisdom and length of days, let us bring Him glory in old age as well.
The Lord is Sovereign
Do not boast in youth or old age - but trust in the Lord.
Human strength may fail, and aged wisdom may become profitless, but God shall never fail.
Use every gift to the glory of God, not for the promotion of self. Be a faithful steward with what God has given.
A special warning to the young man: Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
Indulgence in sinful pleasures will surely bring about sorrow.
Youth is vanishing; use it for God and personal godliness while still able.
If you need prayer, put a 🙏 in the comments, and I, and hopefully others, would love to pray for you. For there is power in prayer. If you have any other personal prayers or problems, feel free to DM me on Twitter @aSethHollifield.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).