5 Things

¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Two things JUMP out at me from this verse. First, there is an awareness that people WILL look down on us. We are challenged with “don’t let them”. How can we not let them? By showing everyone that there is NO reason for them to look down on us! I am challenged by this. If my speech doesn’t put others down but lifts up the Lord. If my actions aren’t contrary to what I believe. If I love even the unlovable. If I believe I am who Jesus says I am. If, through the Holy Spirit, I set my mind on things above (Phil. 4:8). THEN when  people do look down on me, they have NO reason and by my actions that will be shown.