Wisdom for the Young

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

I really thought the Complete Jewish Bible expressed the intent of these verses much more clearly: “Young person, if you spend your youth only having fun, if you use your early years just to entertain yourself, if you follow your heart as you live your life, and let your eyes be your guide; understand that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. Therefore, remove anger from your heart; and keep from harming your body; for neither adolescence nor youth has any lasting value.”

These are wise words of instruction that should be shared by every Christian parent with their children. There is nothing wrong with having a good time and investing time and energy in things that you love as long as you are doing so in accordance with God’s will for your life as revealed in His word. Things that we do that are rooted in the flesh will only result in sin and/or loss of heavenly treasure.

When I looked at the Hebrew for “sorrow,” vexation, anger, wrath, and spite seemed to be the emphasis. We will all deal with sorrow, and scripture tells us that sorrow is often beneficial.

Psalms 126:5-6 “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Proverbs 3:12 “For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”

2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

It makes much better sense to read this as putting away anger—because anger, like love, is a choice. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in the life of the believer, including love and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (temperance = self-control)

It seems that if the enemy can’t get you to fall for the deceit of following the desires of the flesh, he will often turn his deceit to the value of life. From the very earliest times we know that the false religions have made use of human sacrifice. Even members of the early church were deceived into thinking that self-flagellation was beneficial to their spiritual growth. I am convinced that God never intended such. His word is clear that we are to exercise self-control and obedience, but it is also full of the truth that He desires to bless us and fill our lives with joy.

Proverbs 12:20 “Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.”

John 15:10-11 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

It’s interesting that these verses are directed to the young, since that is when one is most vulnerable to the attack of the enemy in these areas. I can’t help but think of so many of our youth today, in particular, who are under attack in this area. They are duped into practicing eating disorders, cutting themselves, drug abuse, etc., because they haven’t been taught the truth of God’s word and the value of their life before God.

Psalms 139:13-16 “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”

God loves every life He brings into being. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

He loves us so much that He gave His only Son as the sacrifice for our sin and to provide for our eternal life with Him.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”