[9] “You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” – Ecclesiastes 11:9 (NIV)
The heart is the most deceptive part of the human make-up. It has deceived people more than carefully curated lies from the mouths of men. Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) says,
“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?”
So, if you follow your heart, you may end up in a good place or be totally deceived. Solomon gave simple advice to all young people in Ecclesiastes 11:9. He said that as a young person, just be happy and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and chase after what you see. But while doing all these things, know that God will bring you into judgment. Isn’t it interesting?
In today’s young generation, it’s hard to correct many of them as an elder in any field of life, especially as a minister over their souls. Tell a spinster to keep herself pure until marriage, and she is thinking of giving out her body to men in exchange for money. Tell a teenager that smoking isn’t good, and he’ll tell you that his friends do it, so he finds nothing wrong doing that alongside them.
Do not be deceived. You shall reap whatever you sow (see Galatians 6:7). If you remember your Creator in the days of your youth, you’ll reap a bountiful life of divine purpose fulfilment, even in old age. But if you use your youthful age to engage in promiscuity, guess what will happen to you in future? Many single mothers wouldn’t have been so if they never practised promiscuity or given their bodies over for premarital sex.
The devil is a deceiver. He can present what is evil as something desirable to engage in, just like what he did through the serpent to Eve. The woman knew that even touching that tree was prohibited. But the serpent communicated with her and brought her so close that it made her gaze upon that fruit long enough for her to desire it.
Sin thrives where there are evil desires. So don’t go near or keep thinking about it. Use your days well, knowing that there’s a God who will judge you for what you used your life to do.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer:
Father, help me to utilise the days of my youth very efficiently for Your glory. Surround my life with like-minded people who’ll help me stay on course. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2024 – 224
Shareable Graphics
