We have many distractions nowadays that many people are caught up in and not even aware that it is a distraction. Besides school and work, there’s social media, video games, pornography, wicked music, television, and a world of other devices of satan, to fill and indoctrinate the minds of the young and old. However, the Lord’s people should be set apart from all these things as the scripture tells us that “the whole world lieth in wickedness,” and we should be living godly.

1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

We were never supposed to operate like the rest of the people in the world and the Most High God wanted his people to be set apart and set the right examples for everyone else to follow.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 

When we look in the body of Christ do we show forth the praises of the living God or do we look the same as, or worse than, the evil in the world? Do we see the youth, “about their Fathers’ business”, like our Lord and savior Christ was at the tender age of 12?

Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Or do we see the children of disobedience, yearning to fit in and be a part of this wicked world that will soon pass away and burn with fervent heat? The Most Highs’ people should not look the same as everyone else in the world but should be set apart. We serve the living God and when we are doing his commandments on one accord as a people, the Most High moves in wondrous ways.

Let’s look at some youths in the bible who were valiant for the Lord,

12- year-old Jesus speaks to the Doctors in the temple

Luke 2:46-47 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.(47)And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Yong David kills the uncircumcised Philistine

1 Samuel 17 :45-47 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.(46) This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.(47) And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord‘s, and he will give you into our hands.

Young Daniel sits among the elders

The History of Susanna 1:50 (Apocrypha) Wherefore all the people turned again in haste, and the Elders said unto him, Come sit down among us, and shew it us, seeing God hath given thee the honour of an Elder.

Samuel ministers to the Lord in a linen ephod

1 Samuel 2:18-19 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.(19)Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

The Most High called all of his people to serve him, including the youths also. We ought to serve him with fervent love. He should get the best of our attention.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:(5)And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

This starts with parents instilling this in their children from an early age.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The way it should go is in the way that the Lord has commanded. He commanded us to teach his laws and statues diligently to the children and to be constantly immersed in his word. 

Deuteronomy 6:7-9 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.(8)And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.(9)And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

This is why it is so important to the Most High that children obey their parents, as they are the first people to teach them the Lord’s holy statues and commandments. But if the parents have no reverence for the Lord how will the youth be taught?

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Now more than ever we need to be strong in the Lord and remain girded in these perilous times. Children are not always going to have their parents to fight battles for them, they must seek out their own souls’ salvation with fear and trembling.

Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

In order to do this the children must learn the scriptures, and the commandments of the Most High.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Ecclesiasticus 6:32 (Apocrypha) My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.

Only those that are willing will be taught. So it is up to us as individuals to decide if we want to walk on the straight and narrow path.

Satan has many devices as he is “the prince of the power of the air” and controls the content that we all see and that our children see as well. Whatever you’re lusting after in your heart don’t be surprised if it shows up on your social media feed. Parents must not turn a blind eye to the things that their children are engaged with. The Lord commands parents to beware of their children.

Ecclesiasticus 32:22 (Apocrypha) And beware of thine own children. 

Our focus as a nation should be on the kingdom. It’s time to drop the distractions and excuses and “seek out the book of the law,and read.”(Isaiah 34:16)

The word has to be engrafted within us and we have to desire it truly, if we are to grow and progress.

James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

How long does the most High have to plead with us? Let’s get right and not exhaust the bountiful mercies of the living God. Let us walk in the spirit and we won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. Let’s follow the example of Christ and strive for repentance tirelessly, remembering the glory the Most High has called us unto.

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