1 Timothy 4:12 - Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
There is an expectation that the older someone gets, the wiser they become. Those who are older have experienced more of this world than those who are young simply by being alive longer. It’s no surprise then that we typically see older men and women in positions of authority rather than young men and women. Again, the expectation is that because of their many years, they will do far better with their role and responsibilities than someone younger than them.
In many cases this is true. Youth carries with it a certain idealism whereas those with some years under the belt tend to be more realistic. Young adults can look at themselves as invincible which can lead to arrogance or unnecessary risk taking. Younger people also have a tendency to think that their ideas are new and fresh, throwing out the ideas of the older generation, all the while not understanding that there is nothing new under the sun.
This isn’t to say that older people have everything figured out. Age doesn’t automatically make a person someone worth imitating, listening to, or admiring. Rather than looking at how old a person is, there is probably more wisdom in assessing a person’s character. Whether young or old, character is of the utmost importance.
When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy it would have been common for older men to be the ones everyone followed and listened to. Timothy, being of a younger age, may have felt that he wouldn’t be looked at as a leader, or maybe he was already experiencing other believers treating him with less respect because of his age. Whatever was happening, Paul’s advice is excellent, and useful for all of us to hear.
If you are a young person in the church, be an example of godliness in the church. Don’t be godly for other people, but be godly because it is good to be godly. If you are pursuing godliness, your life will be affected by that. The way you speak will be different. The way you act will be different. The way you love God and others will be different. Your faith will be different. Your pursuit of holiness will be different. In other words, your life will be worthy of honor, and it will have nothing to do with your age.
For those of you who are older, you should pursue these things as well, seeking to live your life with the same drive and purpose. If you see a young person living out their faith well, encourage them and honor them. At the end of the day, what could be better than for young and old to be pursuing these things together, encouraging one another and growing more in Christ?
Some young people are reckless, but not all. Some older people are wise, but not all. Timothy may have been young, but that youth didn’t automatically disqualify him from serving and leading other believers. What mattered was whether he was a godly man or not. Lord help us all, young and old, to be men and women who see the value of living godly lives through Christ.
