TEMPTATION;
SPIRITUAL VICTORY; YOUTH

Young people are beset by dirty talk and irreverence and every kind of temptation in their schools. I know of Christian young people who have found a way to turn those things to personal spiritual blessing. Hearing an obscenity, they have an instant reaction and a compensation within: “Oh, God, I hate that kind of talk so much that I want You to make my own mind and speech cleaner than it ever was before!” Seeing an injurious, wicked habit in others, they breathe a silent prayer: “Oh, God, You are able to keep me and shield me from that bad habit!”

It is possible, even in this sensual world with its emphasis on violence and immorality to turn those very influences in the direction of God’s promised victory. We are assured in the Word of God that we do not have to yield in weakness to the pull that would drag us down. When we see something that we know is wrong and therefore displeasing to God, we can react to it with a positive assurance as we say, “God helping me, I will be different from that!” In that sense, the very sight of evil can drive us farther into the kingdom of God.

Romans 6:11–14; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Ephesians 2:1–3

Tragedy in the Church: The Missing Gifts, 132, 133.