Being a “man of God” can be tough. Being a “young man of God” can be even tougher. This devotional will focus on the three areas in which young men are most frequently tempted: their Ways (i.e., temper), their Words (i.e., language), and their Wants (i.e., physical and emotional desires). It will also discuss the appropriate Biblical response(s) to maintaining self-control and moral purity in the face of such temptations.Mike P.
Day 1
Scriptures: John 2:13-17, Psalms 7:11, Ephesians 4:26-27, James 1:19, Proverbs 29:11, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Proverbs 25:28, Proverbs 22:24, Proverbs 14:29, Matthew 5:9
The Ways of Young MenAs a young man of God, you must be mindful of your “ways.” By this, I am referring to your temperament (behavior) or, more specifically, your “temper.” One of the biggest sin struggles young men deal with is rooted in how they manage their emotions – particularly, anger.
Whether it’s conflict with your parents, pressure from your teachers, rivalry with your teammates, or even girl-related frustrations, keeping your emotions in-check can be tough. As a Christian, the challenge can be even greater – perhaps, at times, even overwhelming – with everyone expecting you to “act like Jesus” and never lose your cool. (No pressure there, right?)
The thing is, Jesus got angry. (John 2:13-17) In fact, God gets angry all the time when He considers how terrible the world He created has become. (Psalm 7:11) God has emotions and, “in His image,” He made you to have emotions. He expects you to feel, and to be moved to action based on those feelings.
Anger, all by itself, is not a sin. It’s an emotional response that God made you to feel – just like He does! It’s how you choose to act on your anger where the potential for sin arises. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
What does the Bible teach about anger and why you need to control your “way” with it?
James, the brother of Jesus, says that in anger-charged situations, you need to slow down, take a breath, and hear things out before you let yourself get worked up. (James 1:19) Sure, you might be angry, but an angry response may not be the best course of action. If you’ll take a moment to listen and think things through, as James suggests, you’ll often find that there is a peaceable, sin-avoiding solution. (Proverbs 29:11)
King Solomon, meanwhile, recommends not letting people push your buttons in the first place. (Ecclesiastes 7:9) He compares a man who can’t control himself and his anger to a city with no defenses. (Proverbs 25:28) Solomon also warns that anger, left unchecked, can drive other Christians away. (Proverbs 22:24) I admit, not letting someone push your buttons is easier said than done, but, for a young man of God, to do so demonstrates spiritual maturity. (Proverbs 14:29)
Remember, too, what Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers” – not the angry dudes who constantly lose their cool and stir up trouble. (Matthew 5:9)
Day 2
Scriptures: Matthew 12:37, Colossians 4:6, John 14:15, Ephesians 4:29, Jeremiah 9:23, Ephesians 5:4, Proverbs 15:4, James 3:10, Psalms 141:3, Ecclesiastes 3:7
The Words of Young MenAs a young man of God, you must be very careful about the “words” that come out of your mouth and the impact they can have on your witness for Christ. No matter where you go in the world, or what language you speak, there is one universal truth: young men run their mouths… a lot. Please understand, I’m not saying that to insult you. I’m just stating the obvious: guys like to talk. They talk about girls, talk about themselves, talk trash about each other. Oftentimes, being “one of the guys” means you’re expected to talk that way, too. Watch out though! Your mouth can very easily become the source of a major sin struggle. (Matthew 12:37)You’ve probably been reminded since you were little to “choose your words carefully.” For Christians, that skill is essential! (Colossians 4:6) As a young man of God, your words reflect on the One you serve; they demonstrate how seriously you’re taking His instructions. (John 14:15) Unlike the average guy, your “words” actually have Power behind them! (Let that sink in for a minute.) Consider the impact your words could have on a struggling Christian friend. Or the impression they might give a non-believer about what’s acceptable for “those Jesus-followers.” How might a careless word or two from you affect someone else’s decision to accept Christ? What does the Bible have to say about your “words”? God desires that your words should build others up – not tear them down. (Ephesians 4:29) He doesn’t like it when you brag all the time. (Jeremiah 9:23) He is not a fan of your dirty jokes (Ephesians 5:4) or of the suggestive comments you make about girls. (Proverbs 15:4) And He absolutely despises your use of profanity: especially when you use that same mouth in church soon after to praise Him. (James 3:10)Keeping your tongue in-check is a sin struggle that Christian guys face the world over; it’s not just you. The next time you’re feeling tempted to say what you know you shouldn’t, try praying what King David prayed: “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” (Psalm 141:3) Remember, too, that sometimes the wisest “words” are none at all. (Ecclesiastes 3:7)
Day 3
Scriptures: Genesis 2:24, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Matthew 5:28, Matthew 26:41, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Romans 8:1, Galatians 5:16, Philippians 4:6-8, Philippians 4:13
The Wants of Young MenOne of the most widespread sin struggles among young men today – yes, even church-going, Jesus-loving, young men like yourself – has to do with controlling their physical and emotional “wants.” God fully intends for you to experience romantic attraction, emotional attachment, and physical intimacy. He wired those wants into your DNA. The problem isn’t with the “wants”; the problem is in how you go about satisfying them.When channeled appropriately (loving commitment, marriage, remaining faithful, etc.), acting on your physical and emotional wants is precisely what God intends for you to do. (Genesis 2:24) It’s when a young man seeks to satisfy his wants in ways that God did not intend (inappropriate websites and apps, even less appropriate social media activities, and all the reckless and risky behaviors that follow) that He disapproves – and that you can find yourself caught up in a very damaging sin struggle.Where does the Bible discuss your physical and emotional “wants”? Pretty much everywhere!God makes it clear, again and again throughout Scripture, that there are some roads you should never take in the quest to fulfill your wants. Your online and social media activities can become such roads if you’re not careful, and the danger they represent to your purity and moral self-control is very real. (1 Corinthians 6:18) The threat is so serious that Jesus warns not to even entertain the thought of it! (Matthew 5:28) Such roads – while extremely tempting and, perhaps, even temporarily satisfying – lead only to selfish gratification and self-destruction. Your Heavenly Father fully understands the weakness you struggle with when it comes to controlling your physical and emotional wants, but that doesn’t mean He’s okay with you giving in to your flesh (Matthew 26:41) at the expense of your purity. (1 Thessalonians 4:3) If this is a temptation you have already given in to, do not be discouraged. (1 Corinthians 10:13) God still loves you. And if you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are already forgiven! (Romans 8:1) Nevertheless, truly overcoming this particular sin struggle will take spiritual discipline (Galatians 5:16), prayer, and some serious rethinking on your part. (Philippians 4:6-8) You’re a young man of God though; you can do it! (Philippians 4:13)