Not just your, average, run of the mill, ho-hum believer…but an example!


(Authors Note: This is the second part of a series of posts looking at the 4th Chapter of I Timothy, verses 12-16. While I try to typically make posts devotional in nature, this one seems like it is turning more into a study. Fault my inexperience at writing…but don’t despise my youth!)

I Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

You! Yeah you! Are you that example? Let’s look at what he says here a little closer.

“..an example in word, in conversation.” How’s your conversations been lately? Are they full of triviality and idleness, or are they filled with Godly edifying? This is not to say that you never should speak out of fun, or laugh, or joke, but have you considered if your speech and conversations could be considered an example to other believers? Have you noticed that you use a little vulgarity or “slang” or taking the name of the Lord in vain? Paul has told this young brother in the Lord, to be an example in word. There are so many scriptures on speaking the right things, and “bridling our tongues”, Paul tells us to be an example of this type of behavior not vulgarity or slang.

“…in charity…” Have you shown love to others? Sure maybe to your brothers and sisters but how about the bum on the street? Have you been an example of Godly charity? Young sisters, are you fighting and bickering with each other? Are there other young sisters that are “rude” and hence you don’t have anything to do with them? Are there others that don’t fit your “class” or “social status”? Or, as Paul has commanded, are you an example of Charity. You love everyone, no matter their status, or what they have “done to you”.

“…in spirit…” In church, none can match your passion for worship and praising the name of Jesus. In life, you seem to make the right decisions based on prayer and God’s will. You are an example “in spirit”. Romans 8:12 tells us “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Are you an example “in spirit”??

“…in faith…” Do you find that you are up and down sometimes… “Well, yesterday I really believed God…but today, I don’t know…it’s all so jumbled…I don’t know what I believe.” You would be well advised to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” if so. Yes, you are called to be an example “in faith”, resting upon the Word of God in full assurance that what He said, is nothing but the TRUTH. When He says you are healed, you believe you are healed. When He says you are a child of the King, you say “Amen, That’s ME!”

“…in purity…” This one, I believe, is very critical for us. We MUST be that example of purity. Not only for the good of those seeing us, but for ourselves as well. Brothers, Sisters…are you an EXAMPLE of purity. Are you one that sets the standard? I remember a young couple in my church growing up that did not even hold hands until they were engaged. What an example! Extreme you say? Which would you rather be…an “example…in purity” or wondering how you let the bar down so far, and are now wishing you would have never started things down that path. Be the example…show yourself, the young believers around you, and the world, that you will NOT let down the standard when it comes to purity. YOU are to be the example of purity in this day.

EXAMPLES! Paul tells us to be EXAMPLES. Not just your, average, run of the mill, ho-hum believer…but an example! One that is looked towards as the standard!

Next Post: “giving attendance” coming soon!

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One response to “Not just your, average, run of the mill, ho-hum believer…but an example!”

  1. Great stuff Bro. Trev!

    I’d love to add some comments on the subject of “an example of purity” buy using a couple of dramatized examples.

    You spoke of a couple that didn’t hold hands before they were engaged. To most young people in this day that does seem extreme. It may even be unrealistic to some. But the examples people set will reflect their character. In my first example we’ll pick on the girls.

    EXAMPLE 1: Three girls walk into the room at a gathering of young people. The first one we’ll call Girl “A”. She’s the non-hand holding type, and kind of plainly dressed. Girl “B” brushes by her and flounces into the room. She’s the flirty type, with her shirt just a little too tight and her skirt exactly as high as it can be and still pass the “knee rule”. Every young guy in the room looks their way.

    They acknowledge the first young lady and check out the second one. The thoughts that go through their head are very different for each girl, and they will doubtless give more attention to Girl “B”. She’s much more “attractive” to their repressed hormones. Besides, they can say anything they want around her and will probably get a cute laugh from her if they talk about “embarrassing subjects”.

    Girl “A” is treated like a lady by all and some lucky young man gets stuck talking to her. Soon he finds out that her conversation isn’t racy or the least bit off color. In fact, he can talk to her about what they believe and they part later feeling refreshed in the Spirit. She’s home at a decent hour.

    Meanwhile, Girl “B” has gotten a foot rub from one of the guys she’s become such good friends with. Later another young guy will give her a scenic late night ride home.

    Many of the guys will try to date Girl “B”, and she might go through guys and date several just for fun.

    All of the guys respect Girl “A” too much to just date her for fun, but some young man who has matured enough to want a family of his own will talk with her, maybe even talk with her parents, and start taking her out with the intention of marrying her and sharing forever with her. She’ll be a true jewel in his crown.

    You are probably thinking that I forgot the third girl, but I didn’t. YOU, young lady, are Girl “C”. So… How do these young guys see you?

    EXAMPLE 2: Guys “1”, “2”, and “3” are all at the above mentioned get together.

    Guy “1” dresses in the latest styles and is very popular with the young ladies. He has even dated several of them, including Girl “B”. If fact they are still very close, and he’s still comfortable enough with touching her that he finds himself giving her a good foot rub before the night is over.

    Guy “2” gets stuck sitting with Girl “A”, and might think at first that his evening is going to be boring, but he finds that he enjoys the conversation and even notices the color of her eyes while talking with her about some church meetings they had both previously attended. He also finds out that she got healed of a blood disease when she was 12, and that she is working part time at a local hospital.

    All of this time Guy “3” (yes, that’s YOU, young man) has been sitting in between these two groups and listening in on both conversations. Later, during an break in the activities, he decides to talk to one of the young ladies. Which girl does he try to get to know better? Whatever is in his (your) heart will decide that!

    I pray that Guy “3” and Girl “C” will follow the “examples of purity” and become fine examples themselves. Who knows, maybe they’ll find that they both reflect the same Godly character and live happily ever after, like my wife and I.

    Thanks for the opportunity to contribute these comments.

    God bless you!
    Anthony

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