“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”(1 Timothy 4:12)

In the book of Timothy, we find Apostle Paul teaching Timothy how he should carry himself as a young believer, particularly emphasizing that he should not let anyone despise or look down on him because of his youth. Regardless of your age, God can still use you. Many young believers often allow others to despise or look down on them, forgetting the words that God has declared over us—that as we have received Him, we have been given power. Not knowing yourself and the power you possess as a child of God could even lead you to despise or look down on yourself.

It is easy for a young believer to be despised by their peers if they do not internalize the Word of God. This is why, in the book of Joshua 1:8, God instructs Joshua to keep the book of the law always on his lips and to meditate on it day and night to prevent such attacks from happening. Apostle Paul goes on to say, “But set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” This implies that some believers are more likely to look down on you, especially when you are young.

Many times, believers may look down on us as young Christians because we fail to set the right example. Instead, we might behave in ways that contradict the principles we should uphold. If we set a good example for other believers, as the Apostle mentions, no one would have reason to despise us.

Some people think respect is earned through wealth or success, and while that may be true in part, setting a good example for believers and everyone around you can also earn you respect, regardless of your age.

It is crucial for us to be mindful of what we say in our daily conversations and in everything we engage in. The Word of God says, “In everything we do, let it give glory to the Lord; whether we speak, sleep, or even eat, it should give glory to the living God.” In doing so, we will be setting a good example for God’s people.