Category: Know the Bible

Be Swift to Hear and Slow to Anger

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:19-20

This is an important verse for us to learn. Some people do not really listen when others are talking and get mad about something that they heard wrong. James tells us to listen quickly, but then answer slowly. We need to think about what the person has said. We should also be very slow to anger.

Some people have a quick temper. This type of person gets mad about things that are not important. They will throw temper tantrums if they do not get their way or pout if someone does not do what they want to do. We must strive to be people who do not get mad easily.

Not all anger is bad. Psalm 4:4 tells us to “be angry, and do not sin.” Even God is angry when people disobey Him. However, most of the time when we get angry it is about the wrong things. Anytime that we get angry and say mean or hurtful things to others it is wrong. We must learn to control our anger since ungodly wrath will not make us righteous and will hurt our influence for good.

How do we control our tempers? Breathe deeply or count to ten slowly and give yourself time to calm down. Remember that you will not think clearly if you are angry. Listen carefully and speak slowly. Pray to God to help you control your temper. Your example is important.

We Will Reap What We Sow

Galatians 6:7

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”

What does this verse mean? Paul is comparing our lives to a farmer who is sowing seed. If the farmer plants green bean seeds, green beans will grow. If he plants corn, corn will grow. We are not sowing seeds to grow food, we are sowing our works. If we do bad things, we will get eternal punishment but if we do good things, we will get eternal life with God.

Paul says in verse 7 that we cannot trick God. He knows what we are doing and why we are doing it. When we stand before Him in judgment, He will either be pleased with us or unhappy with our life (see also Romans 2:1-11). Let us live good lives so the Lord will be pleased with us.

Paul says to not grow tired, or weary, while doing what is good since we will have an eternal home in heaven with God. Sometimes it is not easy to do what is right. Sometimes we would rather not do something God wants us to do so we can do something we want to do. If our friends want us to go see a movie on Sunday night, should we miss church services so we can go to the movie? Of course not.

We must be busy doing God’s things first. Some people want to do bad things then hope that they won’t be punished. If they repent, God will forgive them. However, even if the sin is forgiven, sometimes they will have to suffer problems as a result of sin. So be careful what you do and say, for we will reap what we sow!

What Can Young People Do To Grow Spiritually?

Do Your Bible Lesson: 

One of the most important things you can do is to make sure your Bible class lesson is done.

You might wonder who cares if your lesson is done or not. Well, your teacher cares! Students who have done their lessons tend to have better comments and questions than those who did nothing to prepare for the class. You are able to learn more about the Bible story and add to the knowledge you gained from your home study.

When you do your lesson its shows that you care about God’s word and learning how to please Him.  God’s word is able to help us with so many things in life. However, if you do not know  the Bible, it cannot help you at all.

Be sure to prepare your lesson at least a day before class so you can have time to think about what you studied.  Maybe you can study it with your parents.

Nightly Devotional: 

In Psalm 63:6, David said that he thought about God when he went to sleep.  We should begin and end each day thinking about God.

A good way to think about God before going to bed is to meet as a family and study the Bible.  The lesson does not have to be long, five or ten minutes is usually good. Spend time discussing a story or passage from the Bible.  Study the life of Jesus or study through the whole Bible.

Our family used to study one story the whole week.  At the end of the week, the older children could tell the story. You might want to sing a song like the “Books of the Bible” or the Apostles. Conclude this special period with prayers to God.  In our family each of the children says their prayers out loud.

This is a special way to close the day as a family.  Ask your family to study with you before bedtime.

Do Not Be Ruled By Things

If you go to a mall you will see many stores with lots of wonderful things. There are clothes that it seems everyone is wearing and shoes that the “popular” people wear. Sadly, many people choose their friends based on what they own instead of who they are.

Some people feel bad because they do not wear clothes that everyone else is wearing. Some feel bad because they do not have the latest video game that everyone is talking about or the newest toy.

It is sad when people consider themselves good or bad based on the things they own. It is sadder to see people who will not be friends with someone—or even make fun of someone—who does not have the clothes or own things that the “popular” crowd has.

This attention to things can make us forget about things that really matter. It does not matter what clothes you wear or what things you own, you are important because there is only one you. Anyone who does not want to be your friend because you do not look like them, dress like them, or have the things they have is not a friend worth having.

This focus on things is called covetousness. When one is covetous, he wants what he does not have, is not happy with what he does own, and thinks about things too much. Galatians 3:5 says that covetousness is idolatry. If a person is so focused on things, they become like a god to him. He cares more about things than he cares about God. Instead of God determining what is important in his life, he thinks things are more important.

Around birthdays and holidays it is easy to get excited about what gifts you might receive. Some people want lots and lots of things but, after they have had the gifts for a while, start wanting more and more things. It is not wrong to have nice things and gifts but do not make them the most important thing in your life.

Your relationship with God and other people should be more important than things. Do not choose your friends based on what they have but on who they are. Some of the worst people have many things. Some of the best people have few things. Be content: be happy with what you have. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 warns us that the desire to own many things may lead us away from God.

Comparing Your Looks To A Fake

“…in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.” 2 Timothy 2:9-10

Our view of personal beauty is shaped by what we see on television, movies, magazines, music videos, etc.
Many young people feel sad because they do not look like the movie star or music star on the television or in the pages of a beauty magazine.

Well guess what?

The stars do not look that way either!

Television characters are imaginary. No one has all of the physical beauty, strength, intelligence, wit, charm, and style that you see on TV. When we compare ourselves to people on TV, we are comparing our reality to the imaginary world of Hollywood. We forget that it is make-believe.

Musicians, actors, and athletes hire people to make them look good—it is not reality.

I read an interview with a former model who was sad that so many girls spent lots of money and did things harmful to their health in order to look like her. She said that she never looked like the magazine cover because artists painted over her “flaws.”

The next time you see that beautiful model or handsome man in the magazine remember that the image has been fixed by artists to remove all flaws; the models are not as physically perfect as their pictures! Let your attractiveness be the dignity of a godly character.

“Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30