 What you give you time and attention to grows. If you give a lot of time and attention to Netflix, secular music, partying with your non-Christian friends, scrolling through social media, and the like, you are feeding your flesh or human nature.
If you give your time and attention to reading your Bible, talking to Jesus, serving others, worshipping, being generous and the like, you are feeding your spirit. Romans 8:5-6 says, For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Galatians 5:16-17 says, let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do. Matthew 5:6 says, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled. It's not wrong to do secular things, but your priority should be feeding your spirit. If you make spiritual things a priority, the Bible says God will bless you. What are you spending your time and attention on lately? Choose one spiritual discipline to spend more time on this week.
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The gift of teaching is the God-given ability to study and learn from God's Word and to teach these truths effectively to others. Hopefully the pastors at your church have this gift. You might be able to think of other people such as your small group leader, or a mentor who is really good at explaining the truth in God's word.
Titus 2:1 warns us, You must teach what is right and true. James 3:1 says, My brothers, not many of you should become teachers. You know that we who teach will be judged more strictly than others. It's a big responsibility to teach others about God's Word. We should be grateful for those who teach us about God's Word - pastors, youth group leaders, small group leaders and others - the Bible says they will be judged more strictly.  Fervr is my favourite Christian website for teens. It has devotions, articles, videos and other resources. It's relevant, Bible based, and it's Australian! Check it out at https://fervr.net
John 13:14-15 says, I am your Lord and Teacher. But I washed your feet. So you also should wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example for you. So you should serve each other just as I served you. Jesus showed us how to serve and told us that we should all do it too.
According to Paul in the book of Romans, serving is also a gift. Romans 12:7 Whoever has the gift of serving should serve. You might be able to think of someone who is always helping out at church. Often these are small tasks performed behind the scenes such as setting up and packing up the chairs, doing the dishes after a church dinner, helping in kid's church, volunteering to help at the church working bee, etc. These people are not too proud to clean the church toilets and other less glamorous tasks. I have the gift of serving. When I was a teenager I was awarded the Martha Award at church for always helping out. I didn't do things to be noticed, but just I loved Jesus and loved his people, the church. You are never too young to have the gift of serving. |
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