Especially For Youth-
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
What many of our youth today do not realize is that we are in a battle. The adversary is real and will stop at nothing to destroy us.
I spoke at a fireside last night and the youth that attended were simply amazing. The Spirit of the Lord was strong. As I spoke I looked into their eyes. I was looking at the chosen generation. I was looking at the valiant sons and daughters of Heavenly Father whom He had reserved to play in the final quarter of the game of life. I was humbled.
How does the adversary seek to beat us in the game of life?
Do you rationalize and justify unacceptable behavior? If so simply stop NOW!
1. Rationalization and justification-If he can get YOU to rationalize and justify your actions, your behaviors, your words and your deeds he will have you.
If the adversary can get young women and young men to say within themselves “It’s OK to listen to this type of music, it’s not that bad.” or
“It’s ok to dress in this outfit, it’s not AS immodest as that other outfit” or
“I’ll just close my eyes in the movie on the bad part” or
“I’m not swearing or cussing…it’s just a joke to make people laugh” or
“It’s not like I’m having sex or anything…”
The adversary will temp us to RATIONALIZE from best to good and from good to OK and from OK to bad. Do not rationalize one bit. Right is right. Wrong is wrong. It’s white and black. There is NO grey in between. One step into the adversaries side is two feet on the wrong side of the line. Run as far away from anything that would take you away from the Lord.
Does Satan have you through Rationalization?
2. Laziness and idleness-Winning the Spiritual Game requires work. And not just work, hard diligent work. If the adversary can get our youth to learn how NOT to work, they grow up as lazy beings. It takes work to build the Kingdom of God. It takes work to build our spirits, testimonies and lives.
I’ve seen too many instances where some of the most brightest and talented young people are lazy and then they are lazy in their twenties and one day they wake up in their thirties and they wonder why the results of their life are mediocre.
Learn how to work! Work hard. Work smart. Let work be a part of your life. Work is not just for financial reasons. Work is a spiritual law and a law in the Kingdom of God.
The most successful people in this world and in life have mastered the art of WORK. Great athletes WORK. The best performing artists WORK. Happy parents and spouses WORK. How do you turn potential into production? WORK.
Procrastination is a symptom of laziness and idleness. If you’re a procrastinator then you are lazy. You either get things done or you don’t. And if you don’t then you are lazy therefore the adversary will get you. Don’t let him get you. Move towards God by learning how to WORK and how to WORK hard.
Are you learning how to work, to work hard and to work smart?
Do you need toilet paper after you watch a movie, listen to music or talk with your friends?
3. Media-This is the one of the most deadly tools the adversary uses. Most kids today have an iPod and a cellphone. With the touch of a button kids have access to EVERYTHING and ANYTHING in the world. Pornography, music, lyrics, movies, downloads and articles are easily accessible. Media is so POWERFUL because once something lodged in your brain, you cannot remove it. Once an image has been seen, it is nearly impossible to remove it.
Do NOT rationalize that it’s OK to listen to music that is unacceptable to the Lord. The Spirit of God does not dwell in unholy temples.
Throw away your cds, delete any music from your iPod and computer. Throw away movies in your home that you would be embarrassed to have if the Lord walked in and wanted to watch a movie. I personally went through conversion process. I loved listening to music all the time. I loved action movies. I rarely listen to the radio. I do have an iPod but only positive and uplifting music is on there.
Do not be deceived into thinking that you can listen to or watch material that is offensive to the Lord. Allow only the positive great things in your life and you will notice the biggest difference in your life.
“Surround yourself with greatness and watch your life become great.” Chad Lewis I can testify of this principle because I have done this. Even in my home we do not allow any music or movies or language that would take the Spirit away from us.
4. Friends-“Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.”
If you hang out with the pigs, you will smell like the pigs. If you hangout in the fields of manure you will smell like manure. If you play in the dirt you will get dirty and if you play with fire…YOU WILL GET BURNED.
Our friends influence us so much. Again, do not RATIONALIZE that “I can help this person out.” If that is the case, they should be hanging out with you and your great friends.
I am NOT saying to walk around and JUDGE people. I am saying choose great people to spend your time with.
If your friends swear, cuss and share inappropriate jokes, it’s just a matter of time before you do. True friends would never ever do things to take you away from the Lord. True friends would stick up for you and respect you.
While playing for the New England Patriots we were down in New Orleans for the Super Bowl. All the players knew I didn’t drink and made sure that everyone knew I didn’t. “This guy doesn’t drink so get him a Sprite.” Even though we didn’t quite share the same values, they valued me and what I valued.
Become the type of friend that people know and will say “Hey, he doesn’t swear” or “You can’t say these things around this person” or “Nope, she doesn’t watch those types of movies.” When you become the type of friend you want to have, you will attract those types of friends to you.
Choose your friend wisely for they will determine largely the type of person you become.
If you don’t know that you are playing a game, then you don’t realize that there are rules to win. We are in a game. We are in a battle. These 4 principles will bless your life as you strive to live them and perfect them.
They have worked not only for me, but for thousands and thousands and thousands of others. Whether or not they work for you is up to you!
“Choosing to do what the Lord has defined as right will, in the long run, always lead to the best outcomes.” Elder Richard G. Scott
I know you can do it. I have done it. So many other’s have done and so can you. ”Do what is right let the consequence follow.”
Setema
