“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9)
How shall the young, or anyone else for that matter, keep their hearts/lives right in the sight of God and before men? Young adults leaving home are often bombarded with fair speeches and unsolicited advice. “Get an education,” they say. Granted, a good secular education is needed but is not sufficient for navigating the treacherous seas of life. God provides the only Compass for keeping one’s bearings/heart moving in the right direction. So what should the young Christians do to avoid shipwreck and make heaven’s harbor?
1. Continue to learn the Word of truth. It is a fact that no one can do that which they have no knowledge of. Therefore, the primary principle of doing right is first learning what God would have you to do. This starts with Bible reading (Is. 34:16; 1 Tim. 4:13; Eph. 3:3-4), then with Bible study (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 2:15), and finally with Bible meditation (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:1-2). The young are on their way to spiritual success when God’s Word becomes a major part of their hearts/lives (Ps. 119:11; Mat. 4:4).
2. Continue to implement the Word of truth. It is not enough to know God’s Word. One must also do what it teaches (Jas. 1:22; Luke 6:46; John 14:15). It is sinful to know God’s will and not do it (Jas. 4:17; Heb. 2:2). The young leaving home will be challenged and tempted to not put into practice all they know. Peer pressure and an immoral society will try to entice them in not living as a Christian should (Phil. 1:27; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Pet. 1:15-16). But nevertheless, God’s Word will most assuredly keep them as long as they keep it! (Rev. 3:10; 2 Tim. 3:15).
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip” (Heb. 2:1; cf. Ps. 119:9)
Richard Stevens, III
