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.

Email: richardobengmensah@gm ail.com