“Young men…be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:5-6, NIV)
Submission is not a bad thing. It is simply a humble acknowledgement of the facts: those among us who are older are, generally speaking, wiser than those with fewer years under their belts. Submission is the acceptance of guidance from one who knows better than most the potential pitfalls of taking a certain path in life.
What harm is there in submitting to an older man? What do you have to lose in sitting under an older woman’s tutelage? There is no shame in listening to sage advice. There is wisdom in following it on a regular basis.
Does this mean older folks are right about everything and that younger folks should follow their direction blindly? No! But the young ought to pay attention when their elders warn them, ought to consider the way they recommend. The gift the oldest living generation has to give, the gift of wisdom, is valuable.
Proverbs 13:14 says, “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.” (NIV)
Those older than us know the wrong paths and can turn us away from them. They know the right paths, too, and can point the way if we’ll listen. And when we listen, we become wise.
“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20, NIV)
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” (Proverbs 19:20, NIV)
The wisdom of the aged is a gift. It is a blessing to them. It is a guide for those younger than them. So young men and young women, receive the gift offered to you.
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