Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.
This passage of scripture encourages all children, teenagers, and young adults to remember God and to bring Him into the equation of their entire experience, especially during those turbulent teenage years when the temptations of satan for us to depart from the straight path of integrity and virtue are usually the strongest. It is a proven fact that if teenagers and youth were by the grace of God able to surmount the challenges that come their way during these difficult years, the devil has a much harder time later on, in trying to get them to yield to his temptations, hence the reason why he puts forth concentrated and determined efforts to sweep us off our feet during those years when we are most vulnerable.
During the ages of thirteen to twenty two, most young people feel very confident that they can make wise decisions, since it is at this time that their minds begin to expand dramatically, and they now begin to see the world from a new and ever changing perspective. But with the increase of intelligence and knowledge come temptations that are incident to their age, and that's why the above passage cautions us to be especially careful to include God in everything during these years.
The sins of the age that tug at the heartstrings of most youth are sexual immorality, drug abuse, peer pressure, and a spirit of independence, where they be believe they should not be interfered with in their thinking and decision processes. But the advice and cautions of those who have gone before are most necessary at this time, for having experienced the perils and pitfalls of the way, the older ones are much better prepared to give advice on matters that run the entire gamut of the youthful experience. And if this advice is according to what is written in the word, it can go a long way in preventing the youth from making serious mistakes that can haunt them in later years. Let's read:
Proverbs 2:1 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Teenage pregnancy has now become an epidemic, and the age at which young girls are becoming pregnant is now as low as thirteen years. To resist the natural urge to merge requires strength and fortitude of no ordinary sort, and it is only by the grace and power of God that we can be kept from moral defilement. But once those feelings are let loose they usually run riot, driving the youth further and further into enemy territory, until they are shackled in chains of lust and moral perverseness, which only the grace of Christ can deliver them from. That's why it is of critical importance for parents to establish in the minds of the youth, the sacred teachings and instructions of the word of God, both in theory and in practice, so that they can have an active moral compass to guide their feet into the ways of peace.
When Joseph was being tempted by Potiphar's wife, to depart from the path of strict integrity, he had to pray as he never prayed before, to resist the natural temptations that apply to most youth at that age. But he had to do more than just pray; he had to put his prayers into practice by avoiding Mrs Potiphar as much as possible, and not relating to her in any intimate or unbecoming manner, lest thoughts arise in her heart as to his desires and intentions. And the youth in our day also need to follow the example of Joseph, by not inviting temptations to premarital sex, through the many different avenues invented by men inspired by satan, such as sexting, explicit selfies, pornography, and clubbing.
Contrary to secular and conventional modes of thought, the slightest departure from virtue always brings negative results to a greater or lesser degree, and the more we indulge sinful thoughts and pleasures, the more difficult they will be to overcome, for the Bible states that of what sin a person is overcome, by that same sin are they brought into bondage. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that promises grace, fortitude, and strength to the youth who trust in The Living God, and pardon and restoration to those who may have gone astray. Let's read:
Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. 16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. 24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? 25 But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
May we ever learn that most important lesson of trusting in God, and walking in harmony with His precepts which are given for our very best good. "Good night" and God bless!