Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12
How young do you feel? I generally don’t consider myself as old as I am until I glance at myself in the mirror. How about you? Thankfully, the heart of Paul’s message in the verse above applies to each of us no matter our chronological age, because being an example in our character holds no limits.
Paul reminds us that leadership involves every part of our lives because no matter how eloquent the speaker, if the daily life of the speaker doesn’t meet the same standard, the ability to lead will be undermined. Character reflects who we are and I think the last three phrases in the verse above represent qualities that relate directly to our character.
Love – Leaders often have to make difficult decisions, but biblical leaders should reflect the love of Christ. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15). We are encouraged to respond lovingly when confronted by those who want to harm us. A loving response seeks the good for the other person.
Faith – How does a leader respond in a moment of crisis? I think of Paul’s response to the ups and downs of his ministry and his continued dependence on the LORD.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
Purity – We know that we are not perfect. We all have flaws and mistakes in our past, but Paul encourages Timothy (and us) that our lives should be marked by moral purity for all to see, but that purity begins within.
Reading the list above can be more than a little discouraging, right? Setting good examples requires more than good intentions, it requires an intentional approach to be aware of how our lives are being observed by both those inside and outside the faith.