There are certain ages that we are expected to learn and expected to have something to teach. When we were in grade school, our job was to be taught and try to retain as much as possible. When you go off to college or start working, you still need to be taught. However, that doesn’t mean that you do not have something to teach others. The younger folks should and need to respect those who have been walking with the Lord for years beyond them. Now age doesn’t mean you have all the answers and hopefully in those years we learn that God will use anyone who is obedient to Him, regardless of the number of years they have walking on the earth.

A poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction and counsel (friendly reproof, warning). Ecclesiastes 4:13 AMP

The older I get the more I know that I don’t know much. Yes, there are topics and things that I am more versed in and have more experience with but that doesn’t mean someone can’t teach me something. When we harden ourself to hear from others and get their viewpoint, is when the enemy can come in and puff you up. Satan likes to build up our egos and make us think more of ourselves than we should. The Bible tells us a lot on why and how to stay humble. There is a multitude of blessings that can only come where we humble ourselves and that starts with salvation.

You have to humble yourself to accept Christ. Our walk with Him should continue to teach us humility with Jesus as the example of that. In Matthew 23 Jesus teaches that when someone exalts themself, they will be humbled. He also states the inverse that when we humble ourselves (before God has to) God will honor us for that. Humility shows maturity and you can grow in maturity at any age. We can read also, that ALL should be wrapped in humility.

Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time. 1 Peter 5:5,6 AMP

A dear friend of my wife has a great saying I think of often, “take the meat and leave the bones”. Basically, take the good, God given wisdom and direction someone would give and leave the fleshly stuff behind. We can mess up and add to what we should be sharing. I don’t know one person that has not got that wrong before. Even with the best of intension and heart, though you might be encouraged by it they do not feel that way. When that happens, apologize and try to be more attentive to the Lord’s leading.

There can be times when you share verbatim what the Lord shows you and that person doesn’t take it well. That has nothing to do with you and everything to do with where they are currently at. God will reward your obedience to Him and will reproof those who hearts are hardened to the word or ears are covered to it. It is not your place to judge where they are in their relationship with the Lord, but if that happens pray. Double check with the Holy Spirit that you shared as He wanted you to and if you feel a peace that you did ask the Lord to soften that persons heart. As previously read, it is considerably better to humble yourself than for God to do it for you.

Don’t loose heart brothers and sisters! Continue in being a light to everyone you come in contact with. Sometimes people will want to try and extinguish that light, this is a Light that cannot be put out by others. Only you have that ability to withhold the light of Christ within you, so don’t let Satan win. Use discernment and pour our grace to everyone, not just people you agree with.

Be a light to the world!

Pastor Robert