Tue, Jan 13th - 6:36PM

SOMETHING FOR TEENAGERS TO CONSIDER

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11; this passage compares spiritual maturity to emotional maturity, so there is application to both.) Age does not necessarily mean maturity or immaturity. Since you are not physically a child it is natural for you to dislike being treated like a child and normal for you to want to be accepted as a young adult. But regardless of whether it is fair or unfair you are at an age at which you must prove yourself to be accepted as a young adult. Consider this: If I were to describe someone that always demands his (or her) own way, constantly struggles to be the center of attention, never takes responsibility for his decisions and actions, must always be humored or pampered, tends to be disrespectful toward his elders, etc., it would be easy to assume that I was talking about a small child. Now consider this: As your elders observe your overall attitudes and behaviour, are they reminded of a mature adult or a small child?

How well do you normally get along with adults (especially of your own gender) who are much older and wiser than yourself? Do you have any close friends of your own gender who are middle aged or older? (If not, then, why not?) Fellowship and friendship with adults (especially of your own gender) who are older and wiser than yourself is needful, unless a state of suspended or perpetual childhood is your goal and you really do want your elders to keep thinking of you as a small child in a larger body; in that case all you need to do is limit your associations to immature people and avoid the influence and fellowship of adults who are older and wiser than yourself. (Consider Proverbs 13:20 & 1 Corinthians 15:33)

Do you respect your elders? Respect for elders demonstrates character, and you will never be too old to respect your elders. For example, if, when you are a senior citizen, your pastor is younger than yourself you will be obliged to respect him as your elder. Disrespect for elders is not a sign of growth, manhood, or womanhood. (Deuteronomy 27:16)

“Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2-3) You may not feel that your parents are honourable, but that is irrelevant. If you were in a courtroom, you would be required to honour the judge and address him as “your honour,” and this does not say anything about the judge as a person or whether you even like him but is merely recognising the authority of the judge’s position. Just as there are no perfect children, there are no perfect parents, and it is important to recognise that your parents are human like you while God requires you to honour them if for no other reason than God made them your parents. As a child grows the parental role of guardian and disciplinarian progressively decreases to be replaced by the role of counselor and mentor. What is your attitude toward your parents? What is your attitude toward their counsel? What is your attitude when you disagree with them or when they are wrong? Remember, the real test of respect is when you disagree, not when you agree. “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck” (Proverbs 1:8-9) “My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” (Proverbs 6:20-23) “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” (Proverbs 9:8-9) “A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.” (Proverbs 15:5) “A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother.” (Proverbs 15:20) “Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.” (Proverbs 23:22)

This will have a definite impact on your life and future relationships. (Ephesians 6:2-3) For example, you must be a good follower before you can be a good leader, so how can a young lad who does not respect his elders be expected to be a good family head when he marries, and if a young lad does not honour his parents how can he be expected to honour his wife when he marries? (1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:23) A wife is obliged to respect her husband just as a daughter is obliged to respect her parents, especially her father, so if a young woman does not respect her elders how can she be expected to respect her husband when she marries? (Ephesians 5:22, 24, 33)