THE MENTAL LIFE OF THE YOUTH
And
the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace
of God was upon Him…And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor
with God and men
– Luke 2:40, 52(NKJV).
The
complete youth is thoroughly equipped spiritually, physically, socially and
mentally for every good work. Thus the complete youth is a catalyst for
positive life-changing transformation. Life-changing transformation is a
product of a renewed mind. The renewed mind does not conform to the
ever-changing standards of this world. Rather, it is in conformity with God’s
never-changing standard. God’s unchanging firm standard is His Word.
Renewal
of a person’s mind is primarily a personal choice and responsibility. This
means that a person must resolve to
insulate herself from worldly and ungodly standards and kowtow to God’s firm
standard, even in the midst of crooked and perverse neighbours. The renewed mind is the springboard for
positive transformation in a person’s spiritual, physical and social life. This
is because a person’s mindset
determines that person’s spiritual, physical and social growth and maturity.
Growth and maturity is a mind issue, nothing more; nothing less.
The
most important asset of the youth is their mind. The mind is the thinking
process of a person’s soul. The soul is the mediator of any contentious issue
between a person’s brain (the thinking process of the body) and conscience (the
thinking process of the spirit). The mind of a person thus facilitates any communication
between that person’s brain and conscience. It has been observed that the mind
helps us to think, reason and make choices and decisions capable of forming
ethical, moral and spiritual attitudes. It goes without saying that a person’s
way of thinking determines that persons bahaviour and outlook.
The
glory of the youth is their mental strength.
Mental strength is superior to physical strength. “A wise man is strong,
yes, a man of knowledge increases strength” – Proverbs 24:5. Right knowledge increases (grows) strength.
Right knowledge furnishes the mind with the raw material (thoughts) to build
and create things. Proverbs 24:5 also reveals that there is a correlation
between strength and wisdom. Real wisdom is the right application of the right
knowledge. Wisdom has proofs and the evidence of such proofs is the things
wisdom builds and creates.
Real wisdom is a lifestyle. This lifestyle is borne
out of daily acquisition and application of right knowledge. We acquire right
knowledge by committed reading, learning and studying. Jesus at age 12 was
found in a temple sitting in the midst of teachers, both listening to them and
asking them questions. There are also stream of scriptures that reveal Jesus
was a committed reader. This attitude made Him to grow in strength and wisdom. Luke
2:52 testifies that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with
God and men. This means that Jesus was mentally, spiritually, physically and
socially mature. He was thus thoroughly equipped for ever good work and went
about doing good. His secret is that He exposed His mind to the right
knowledge, God’s firm standard. Only the Word of God can make the youth
complete for good works!
Richard Obeng Mensah, author of Wisdom Thoughts.
Blog:
Richard-obeng-mensah.blogspot.com.
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