1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
Norman Vincent Peale said, “Nothing is more confusing than people who give good advice but set bad examples.” Whether a parent, pastor, professor, teacher, coach, boss, etc. we teach more with our life than with our lips!!
Your lifestyle speaks louder than the lessons you teach.
1 Timothy 4:12 conveys that an example is one of our best tools for evangelism and discipleship. Being an example gives evidence that one has been changed. Being an example can help equip another believer.
I like that before Paul told Timothy to be an example, he himself had determined he must be an example. For instance, Paul said to the Philippians in Philippians 4:9 to do what he taught as well as what they saw in him! To the Corinthians, he wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
Paul was an example of being an example. Paul practiced what he preached!
Please take time to review the 7 essential actions that Paul challenged Timothy to put on display to others.
He starts with watch your words.
Be consistent with your conduct, living Christ-like! Live your life like the Lord lived His. (One of the worst things I think that could be said about me (or you) is believed, not lived.)
Love to love for love makes all the difference. Love never fails.
Have a great attitude. Remember that attitude determines altitude!
(Remember, your attitude overshadows your abilities.)
Walk by faith, not sight (2 Cor. 5:7) Feed your faith to starve your doubts.
Pursue and practice purity!! You can wreck a great testimony with impurity!!
Ask yourself if your words/conversations, your behavior/conduct, your love, your attitude, your faith, and your purity show another person the way to Christ and the way a Christian should live their life. Or if in these various areas, do they see a hypocrite?
I have been challenged many times by the words of The sermons we see by Edgar Guest. I trust these words will inspire you to be an example!
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way. The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear, Fine counsel is confusing, but examples are always clear; And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds, For to see good put into action is what everybody needs. I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done; I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run. And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true, But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do; For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give, But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live. And all travelers can witness that the best of guides today Is not the one who tells them, but the one who shows the way. Though an able speaker charms me with his eloquence, I say, I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one, any day.
Continue Strong being an Example To Others
And remember to DATE the Word
Bonus: In the 4th month of the year, April, we are extending a 4 x 4 challenge and encouraging you to read a chapter 4 each day of April. For April 12 we challenge you to read 1 Timothy 4.