As Paul taught young Timothy, he counseled him to not allow anyone to think less of him because of his youth. Paul knew that young people tend to waste much of their young years in frivolous living. So Paul was instructing Timothy to be an example and a pattern to others even as a young person. Paul told Timothy to be an example for the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Timothy was to set a pattern, for all those who would look at his life, of what it was to be a genuine follower of Christ. He wanted him to be an example and a pattern for others. Paul didn’t want Timothy to be just another young person wasting his young life. He wanted him to rise above the statistics and the general view of youth in that day and be an example and pattern for others to see and learn from. Whether you are young or older, God reminds us today to be an example and pattern for other believers in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. What are you an example of?
1 Timothy 4:12 (AMPC) “Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity”.
One of the ways we learn is by observation. This is a powerful way of learning. The problem is that many people are not aware of that so they hang around with and learn from the “wrong crowd”. The Lord Jesus lived His life in such a way that it became an example to the disciples. John 13:15 says: “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you”. We need to carefully pick out those who we choose to learn from. We are always learning from someone, so decide to focus only on those who will give you an excellent example. Phillipians 3:17 (ERV) says: “Brothers and sisters, join together in following my example. Also, learn by watching those who are living the way we showed you”. Make a quality assessment today of whose example you have been following to ensure that your mind and heart is receiving the right training. Are they taking you higher? Are they drawing you closer to Christ? Are they affirming who you are in Christ? Remember, those who you spend time with could help to make you successful or help to destroy you!
