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On Guard Against Satan, July 30
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the
believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in
purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
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Those who decide to be on the Lord’s side, and have made up their
minds understandingly, have commenced a good work. Yet the work has
but just begun. They have just enlisted in the army. The conflicts and
battles are before them.
I have been shown in regard to the temptations of the young. Satan
is ever on their track seeking to lead their inexperienced feet astray, and
the youth seem ignorant of his devices. They do not guard themselves
against the snares of the devil as they should. This foe is ever watchful,
ever vigilant, and when the young cease watching their own hearts, cease
guarding themselves, then Satan controls them and employs his arts
against them. Secret prayer is the strength of the Christian. He cannot
live and flourish in the Lord without constant watchfulness and earnest
prayer....
Jesus should be the object of our affections, but Satan will try to tear
the affections from heavenly things and place them upon objects that are
undeserving of our affection and love.... The best affections of a great
share of the world are bestowed upon worthless objects.
The minds of the young left unrestrained are directed in a channel to
suit their own corrupt nature. They relax their vigilance and watchfulness
and bestow their affections upon each other, have special friends, special
confidants, and when these friends are together, Jesus is not so much as
named among them. Their conversation is not upon Christian experience,
upon Christ, upon heaven, but upon frivolous things.... They are unac-
quainted with the wiles of the devil, and at twelve, fourteen, fifteen, and
sixteen think themselves young men and women and able to choose their
own course and conduct themselves with propriety and caution.
Jesus loves the youth. He died to save them.... Oh, if they could only
know how God loves them! He wants to make them good and pure, noble
and kind and courteous, that they may ever live with the pure, holy angels
throughout eternity.
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