1 Tim 4:12 (part 2)

Continued thoughts on 1 Timothy 4:12

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young..."

Revised version for the purpose of viewing it as an "elder:"

"Don't look down on the young..."

I know, I know, I know... I'm not considered old yet. I may not be officially a part of an elder grouping, but I do find myself in places of a mentor at times and have realized that I, too, have looked down on the young.

Why, I wondered, as I read this over and over again, do I do this? I believe there are two major reasons for my doing this.

First, I have been disappointed many times by those I've mentored. I often feel as though my love, advice, and/or encouragement go right through their ears. This often makes me a little less than hopeful for their growth.

These frustrations, though, are not the response in me that scares me...

My second reason I am discovering I have for looking down on the young is pride. Yes that horrible sneaky sin. I find myself not wanting to be on the same level of someone younger (whether in actual age or in the faith).

I remember hearing through my younger years that I was intelligent, wise, or spiritually sound, especially for a young person. What is meant as encouragement can also puff someone up (I think that's why Proverbs speaks of how compliments are tests, Proverbs 27:21). I have often desired to be great, and have felt the younger I became great, the greater I would be. I am seeing that as I'm getting older I am more and more jealous of young ones who still have the opportunity of young greatness. This has led me at times to withhold wisdom I could share or to look down on the young. I have looked down on them so I won't feel as though they can really teach me. In those deep, hidden beliefs that grip tighter in their secrecy I fear that if I can be taught by someone younger than I'm really not that great of a person, or I have missed my potential.

This belief system is, of course, poppycock. Why?

I CAN learn from them, and my learning shouldn't make me feel any less of a person. The young are as much vessels of God as I am. God has used donkeys and even "wicked" people. I'm not any greater when God chooses to use me. He can use who He wants. It has nothing to do with me... SOOO I shouldn't be jealous when God uses someone else, I shouldn't use God's blessings as a means to puff up my pride.

Without pride there is no jealousy, and without jealousy I will have no good reason to look down on the young.  

This is wonderful! Now to replace some bad beliefs....