I write to you, young men because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and have overcome the evil one.1 John 2:14 (NIV)

Dearly beloved 

I’m aware of the many challenges being brought to your doorstep, some without your consent. However, in the midst of it all, please stand for righteousness! And you can, with the help of the Holy Spirit. The bible says that Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself, so please decide to stand for God. Read Daniel 11: 8-21.

Now, some of you may not know the assignments that God has for you just yet, but in the meantime, keep yourselves pure; don’t sell your birthright for a bowl of soup. Don’t fall for the enemy’s lies. I know you’re young and living your best life but ask God for the wisdom to make the right choices because some choices have far-reaching consequences than others. Of course, you can always ask God for forgiveness, but living in deliberate disobedience to the word of God will open you up to the enemy’s attacks, so be mindful where you pitch your tent.

And some of you just want to do things your way after several years of being told what to do, and I can understand that, but don’t esteem your natural comfort above your spiritual life; sow seeds of service into the kingdom of God. Give God the best of yourself, and watch Him give you the best of what life has to offer.

Complementary to this, invest in your spiritual life-have regular times of prayer and of studying the word of God. You may not have started life out with a silver spoon, but if you align yourself with the word of God, you’ll achieve a lot more in the long run because the Holy Spirit will lead you in line with God’s will for your life. He’ll lead you into all truth so that you don’t spend your time chasing shadows or running someone else’s race.

That aside, I know some of you already have a bucket list of all that you want to accomplish before settling down, and that’s commendable. God wants us to be well-rounded believers, Christians who are versatile and skilful but don’t allow yourself to become preoccupied with things that add no real value to your life. So, work now, physically and spiritually, while it is yet day, for the night comes when no man can work.

The “night” season of our life is when we’re no longer able to do what we want to do, so make the most of your “morning”-your youth. Oh yes, I know the saying that “you’re only as young as you feel”, but there’ll come a time when you’ll no longer be able to do as much as you want to do.

So, do as much as you can, physically and spiritually, when you still have the “strength”. Pray yourself up, memorize scriptures and get them into your spirit because it’s the truth that you know in your spirit that’ll set you free.

Perhaps some of you, like Samson, have incredible testimonies surrounding your birth, and up until now, have kept to the “terms of your agreement” in God. Keep up the good work; don’t allow the enemy to lure you away from the place of your consecration into a place of destruction.

If Samson had kept to his Nazarene vows, his destiny would not have been compromised. But he wanted to play around, forgetting that he was “different”, and by violating the terms of the agreement of his calling, the enemy was able to take him out, and very quickly too. So, take heed to yourself. Your friends may have been trying to get you to break your “Nazarene vows,” but your safety is in adhering to and staying within the terms of your covenant in God. So, stay with God, and you’ll be alright.

Or maybe you’re a “Samuel”, born after several years of a mother’s tears in the house of God; there’s a good reason why you were delayed-the enemy doesn’t try to stop someone who has nothing to offer; he doesn’t go after something that’s of no value. God has an assignment for you, and so does the enemy. Now, the enemy’s offer may look seemingly exciting on the outside, but his ultimate aim is to stop you from fulfilling your purpose, and the moment he can get you to compromise, he will have you. So, stay safe by staying in God; you’ve got a job to do.

And even if there were no “extraordinary” circumstances surrounding your birth, you still are special to God. The bible calls you a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession: that’s who you are.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1Pet 2:9 (NIV)

For this reason, watch your associations; people can be our greatest assets, but they can also be our most significant distractions if we allow them, so take heed to yourself and be careful who has your ears.

Yes, we all need a friend, but the wrong friend with the best intentions can make you miss your destiny by a mile, so choose your friends wisely and with purpose in mind. Some will walk with you for life, others for half of the journey, and others will be there for the moment. Just appreciate each of them for who they are, and don’t try to make anyone walk with you more than they are prepared for because they may not have the grace for what you ask of them.                                                                                                       

God brings people into our lives at different seasons and for various reasons. The key is to discern our relationships and what season they represent and to relate with them accordingly.

You’ve probably heard people say, “new level, new devils”. This is so true! Each season of our life will come with its unique challenge and blessings, and oftentimes, our greatest temptations will be along the lines of our calling. And all the enemy is trying to do is weaken us in this area, so we become less effective witnesses for the master, but God will never allow you to be tempted above what you can bear. So, if He’s allowed it, it’s because He knows you’ve got what it takes; always remember that.

There can’t be a testimony without a test, no victory without a battle. It’s all part of what God uses to prepare us for where He’s taking us.

Peradventure, you’ve made some very costly mistakes. I want you to know that God doesn’t judge you. Yes, society may have turned its back on you, but God hasn’t. He hates your sin, no doubt because He’s a Holy God whose eyes cannot behold sin, but He doesn’t hate you.

And finally, value what you have. It may look seemingly insignificant to what others have now, but don’t despise it; don’t “sell” it. Instead, let God show you who you are. In that way, you won’t be intimidated by what others have. If only Esau had valued his birthright as the first son, he wouldn’t have traded it off cheaply.

So, value what you have: cherish and nurture it because your little acorn will soon become an oak, providing shade for many in years to come.

Culled from “Let the Men Arise”-Chapter 12 (Letter to Single Young Men)