Let us ask any faithful minister of the gospel, and note what he will tell us. How many unmarried young people can he remember who come to the Lord's Supper? Who are the most backward about the doctrines of salvation, the most irregular about Sunday services, the most difficult to draw to weekly Bible studies and prayer meetings, the most inattentive to whatever is being preached? Which part of his congregation fills him with the most anxiety? Who are the Reubens for whom he has the deepest "searchings of heart?" Who in his flock are the hardest to manage, who require the most frequent warnings and rebukes, who cause him the greatest uneasiness and sorrow, who keep him most constantly in fear for their souls, and seem the most hopeless? Depend on it, his answer will always be, "The Young Men."
[[ J.C. Ryle (2001). Thoughts for Young Men: Adressing the Greatest Challenges in a Young Man's Life. San Antonio, Texas: The Vision Forum, Inc.. ]]
"Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded" {Titus 2:6}. Are we discipling and exhorting young men as we should? I tend to see bible studies for the ladies, as well as their craft nights. The men? Not so much. The Devil is one smart prince and knows how capturable us guys are in our weakest spots. With idols such as lust and passivity, Satan draws us away from God and has us build bad habits that last longer than we'd like. We sow what might feel good now; but will reap pain and regret when we grow older. If we do not build up young men in the "prime of their youth"- when they're best able to retain various information (and truths)- what will happen to most of them? Will they continually reap regret in years to come? Will they have habits so hard to kick that they'll quit on God?
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
---Titus 2:6-8
What would happen if we exhorted young men to be mighty warriors of God?
