The effects of high consumption of illicit brew in our country and the high numbers of young men that have involved themselves in this menace have raised a lot of concerns with many people. What happened to our young men? Why those changes in behavior? Have the older men neglected their roles among the youth. Are the young men seeing examples among the older men? It is a big shame to us as a society and unless we change, we will lose a whole generation.
The question begs. What makes a good example? This is the biggest problem in our country today. We have failed to set examples for our young men and our children. We must set examples in our ways of living. We also must set worthy objectives, develop effective strategies, and implement those plans efficiently and with a degree of excellence. What a man does matters but God zeros in on who the person is more than what one does. A good man leads by example. A good example is good character.
1 Peter 5:2-3
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; (NKJV)
To be an example, men must follow the example of Christ. The only legitimate expectation men can put on people for following them is when they are following the example of Christ.
John 13:15
For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 11:1
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (NIV)
Men can be examples in the following areas:
- in parenting... with a heart of a father
- in discipline…with a heart to correct not to hurt
- in hard word… showing your young people how you made your money and how you acquired your wealth
- in being a husband…with the way you treat their mother
- in humility ... how to treat people with the heart of a servant
- in perseverance ... how to endure suffering or adverse circumstances without losing your joy
- in speech ... the way you communicate
- in manner of life ... the way you conduct yourself
- in love ... the way you respond to God and people
- in faith ... the way you trust God
- in purity ... the way you confront temptation & sin in your life
- in work ethic ... the way you serve
- in goodness ... the way you demonstrate integrity
- in attitude toward serving ... with an impassioned heart, not discouraged by the time and effort it takes
- in attitude toward money ... with an undivided heart toward God, not distracted by greed in having or making money
- in attitude toward the people you serve ... with a humble heart, not delusional about your importance and influence over others
- in word and deed…let your words and deeds agree.
We who are older men should sense more keenly the responsibility that we have toward those who are younger whether we are parents or simply interested in their welfare.
Ephesians 6:4 and Proverbs 22:6. “And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
We must wonder how many parents today should be raising the question regarding their own children while there is time for them to do something about their duty toward that child. Is your child seeing you as an example? Is he happy if you do not give him the advantages of a Christian example? Is he comfortable if you are neglecting his spiritual training to live God’s way? Is he glad if you are overly occupied with other matters that you neglect him? Is he comfortable with the friends and companions he has? Is he aware in the recreation he has, his education, where he goes and what he does?
If we do not discharge the duty of love now while we have time and opportunity, we may be the one who someday will ask, “What didn’t I give him?” but we will be asking too late. What we who are older do makes a difference. We cannot lead where we will not go.
We must seek to change our bad habits that have made us have bad characters. Our value systems must change. There must be more emphasis on values and ethics in our society and homes.
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