This question was first asked by David when he ex-pressed concern for the well-being of his son Absalom (2 Sam. 18:24-33). Fathers and mothers today need to be concerned about the safety and welfare of their boys and girls. Absalom was dead when David asked this question. Some parents wait too late to show their interest and concern. Young people need to be concerned about self as they have responsibility to God. The safety and welfare of the young man is dependent upon several things. The young man is safe when he.

Has Purpose Of Heart

Absalom had a rebellious heart. He attempted to take the kingdom from his own father. The young man must make his heart right and secure with God. Daniel was a faithful servant of God because he "purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself " (Dan. 1:8), Daniel planned ahead and put it in his mind that he would not do anything that would dishonor him before God. Many do evil because they have no purpose of heart (2 Chron. 12: 14). David urged Solomon, "Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God " (i Chron. 22:19). How is your heart?

Remembers His Creator

The wise man exhorted all future generations of young people, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when though shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (Eccl. 12:1). We have a Creator! We are made in the image of Almighty God (Gen 1:26-27). Remembering your Creator involves more than just knowing there is a God. It involves fearing God and keeping his commandments (Eccl. 12:13-14), trusting in God (Prov. 18:10), and being faithful in worshipping God (John. 4:24). Do not wait until the dark days of old age creep upon you to remember your Creator. Remember God while you are young. The young man is not safe when he leaves God out of his life!

Takes Heed To God's Word

The Psalmist wrote, "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Psa. 119:9). The young man must take heed to God's word. The word of God helps in time of temptation (Matt. 4:1-11). It keeps us from sinning so much (Psa. 119:11). It furnishes light to illuminate our pathway (Psa. 119:105). The young man is safe when he spends time on a day-to-day basis reading and studying the word of God. Paul said, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Have you taken heed to God's word?

Honors And Obeys His Parents

Absalom's downfall was brought about by his wayward attitude toward his father. He waged war against his very own father. Paul instructs, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (Eph. 6: 1-3). Under the Law of Moses the young man that did not honor and obey his parents was put to death (Exod. 21:15, 17). Let us follow the example of Jesus and be subject to our parents that we might be safe (Luke 2:51).

Bears The Yoke

Jeremiah revealed, "It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth" (Lam. 3:27). The Bible teaches us to work with our hands (Eph. 4:27). The Bible teaches us to work with our hands (Eph 4:28; 2 Thes 3:10). Industry is a safeguard to the young man. The busy youth can say to the tempter, "I am doing a great work, I cannot come down" (Neh. 6:3). Idleness and slothfulness lead to hunger (Prov. 19:15), to rags (Prov 23:21), and to gossip and talebearing (I Tim. 5:13). Parents do their children an injustice by not teaching them to work! "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame" (Prov. 10:5).

Chooses Good Friends

Whether we realize it or not, those we associate with influence us in either a good or bad way. Solomon recorded, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed" (Prov. 13:20). If we think that we can run around with unrighteous and ungodly people and not be influenced by their ways, we are only deceiving ourselves. "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Cor. 15:33). We must not desire to be in the company of evil men (Prov. 24:1). Many a young man has been led to ruin by failing to choose good friends. Choose to associate with those who will help you make it to heaven and you will be safe.

Flees Youthful Lusts

There are lusts that are peculiar to the young man. Paul told the young man Timothy, "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Tim. 2:22). A young man named Joseph was tempted to lie with his master's wife (Gen. 39:7-12). The Bible says that Joseph "refused," "left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out" (Gen. 39:8, 12). James taught, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (Jas. 1:14-15). The young man is safe when he runs away from youthful lusts.

Lets No Man Despise His Youth

The young man Timothy was admonished, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12). The young man must not allow others to look down upon him because he is young. To prevent this, you should live in such a way that will cause others to respect you. The young man must be an ex-ample of what a believer is. When the young man lets no man despise his youth and is a living example of the believers, he is safe.

Marries The Right Person

The wise man penned, "Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth" (Prov. 5:18). Who you choose to marry is one of the greatest choices you will ever make in life. Marriage is not something you do today and undo the next. Marriage is a life-long relationship between a man and a woman (Matt. 19:5-6). Who you marry will have an impact upon where you spend eternity. Many some-one who has the right to marry! Marry someone who has the same beliefs and goals that you have. Marry someone who will help you make it to heaven. Here is something to keep in mind: you will marry someone that you date. So date someone who you would consider marrying. The young man is safe when he marries "in the Lord" (1 Cor. 7:39).

Is Ready To Die

Death is certain! Solomon announced, "For the living know that they shall die" (Eccl. 9:5). Paul taught that "as in Adam all die" (1 Cor. 15:22). The Hebrew writer revealed, ". . . it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). Death is an appointment that all must keep and the time of which is unknown to man. The Psalmist stated, "I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up" (Psa. 88:15). Young man, are you ready to die? If you are not ready to die, then you are not safe.

The safety of the young man depends upon several things. It is written, "Rejoice, 0 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" (Eccl. 11:9-10). Are you safe?

Guardian of Truth XL: No. 21, p. 14-15
November 7, 1996