The DeGRAFF FREE
State Route 235/
Phone: (937) 585-4463
James R. Roby, Pastor
Biblical Advice for Teenagers
by Pastor James Roby
Some of my very best friends are teenagers. Give me half a chance, and
I’ll go on and on about the wonderful and godly young people that we have
at
1.)DON’T
SMOKE. Everyone
wants to be grown up. But, smoking is not the way to do it. In fact, nicotine
(the drug in cigarettes) is poison! There is enough nicotine in one package of
cigarettes, if it were concentrated and injected into the blood stream, to kill
a person. Smoking is a dangerous and unhealthy habit. The chains of habit are
too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken. Most people who get
bound to cigarettes find it very difficult to quit. The only real answer is in
trusting what The Lord Jesus Christ did for you on the cross. He has the power
to deliver from the bondage of smok- ing. One final thought, smoking will discredit your
testimony for Christ. There are Christians who smoke, but the most devout and
consecrated Christians do not. Can you imagine the Lord Jesus Christ with a
cigarette hanging out of His mouth? Of course not! Neither,
then, should we smoke. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink,
or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthi-
ans 10:31).
2.)DON’T
DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. It is even becom-
ing acceptable in some church circles to drink. This
is a huge mistake, and should never once happen in the life of a born again
Christian. "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever
is deceived thereby is not wise." (Proverbs 20:1). The Bible warns
clearly about drink- ing...even the social drink!
God’s Word further warns, "Look not thou upon
the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth
itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent,
and stingeth like an adder" (Proverbs 23:29-32).
This is a description of intoxicating wine (as opposed to new wine or
grape juice). The wine that is intoxicating is to be avoided at all costs. The
Bible says not to even LOOK AT IT! It will bite and sting you! In plainer
words, it will ruin your youth, your health, your marriage, your brain, your
walk with God, your friendships, your prosperity. It is certainly NOT WORTH IT!
Leave alcohol alone.
3.) GUARD YOUR THOUGHT LIFE. In your private life, you
should be careful to think pure and good thoughts. Don’t let your mind
dwell upon sin or mischief. We are told to "...bring into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5). The
things that occupy our minds, even- tually get into
our hearts. That is why the Bible instructs us to censor our
thoughts. When things pop into our minds that shouldn’t be there, we are
told to capture them/get rid of them, and replace them with thoughts that obey the
will of Jesus Christ. If it doesn’t glorify God, we shouldn’t be
thinking about it! "For as he thinketh in
his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7). You will only stay as pure
as your thought life is pure.
4.)STUDY
GOD’S WORD AND PRAY EVERY DAY.
"Study to show
thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly dividing THE WORD OF TRUTH" (2 Timothy 2:15).
One of the most important things that you will ever do is to
delve into a serious study of the Bible. This serious study should last you a
lifetime, and will answer questions and give you light on issues that you will
not find answers to anywhere else. Beyond study, we are told to meditate on the
Word. "But in His law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm
1:3). To meditate on God’s law (Word) means to ponder over it,
think about it, dwell upon its truths, etc. In this way, we hide God’s
Word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11). This is the way to be blessed. No one can
live a happy, victorious life unless he spends a great deal of time in the
study of God’s Word. Hang on to your old King James Bible...don’t
ever let anyone talk you into using anything else. Dare to believe its promises
and obey its command- ments...and your life will be
worth the living! As we read the Bible, God speaks to us...as we pray, we get the privilege of talking to God! We can pour
our hearts out to Him. We can love and praise Him. We can let our requests be
made known to Him. Pray every day. Talk to God. He
will hear and answer you.
5.)KEEP
YOURSELF PURE SEXUALLY. Sex is not a bad thing, it is a wonderful gift from God, to be shared between
a husband and his wife exclusively. Don’t believe the lies of the world.
You are not missing anything by waiting until you are married and thereby
saving this wonderful gift for that one special person. That is the Bible way. "Marriage
is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whore- mongers and adulterers
God will jjudge." (Hebrews 13:4). Staying
sexually pure involves more than just ‘not committing the act.’ It
also involves dressing modestly. You’re body is the temple of the Holy
Ghost, and is not to be put on display. Clothes should be long enough, loose
enough, thick enough, etc. In short, they should cover your body
in such a way that it does not draw sexual attention to you. This is true for
both boys and girls. If you will dress for God, instead of for your peers...you
will never be sorry. Activities such as dances, dark movie houses or drive-ins,
places where there is drinking or other blatant sinning, should be avoided by
the child of God. Great care should be exercised as well when it comes to
watching TV shows, listening to music (modern rock and country music is morally
bankrupt and should be shunned), even the crowd you hang out with should be
selected carefully. You should be nice and friendly to everyone, but your best
friends ought to be dedi- cated,
sold out believers in Jesus Christ. "Be not deceived: evil
communications corrupt good manners." (1 Corinthians 15:33). Many
of you will take this Bible advice to heart, and will avoid a whole lot of
heartache. Others, probably and unfortunately, will decide to go their own way.
They will choose to forget God and the Bible, and will end up messing up their
lives. Remember, it is better to PREVENT than to REPENT! If we
will yield to God, He will give us joyful, peaceful and fulfilling lives...PLUS
a Home in Heaven someday. Because I am your Pastor, I love each of you
very much. I want to see your lives blessed and whole. Please, heed the advice
of God's Word! You'll never be sorry you did.
