“And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Rom. 2:3-4. We ought to remember this and think about it. How have you and I been doing in this regard? Have we not also needed the riches of God’s goodness, patience, and longsuffering to be saved? We can easily be somewhat hard, especially when it comes to working with others. But hardness is not the mind of Christ. Phil. 2:5-8. We hardly ever hear about God’s goodness, mercy, and compassion even though this goodness leads us to repentance. “For we know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” 1 John 5:18-19. All inadequacies and hardness are the result of not being kept from evil, not being on guard against evil, and not hearing the Spirit’s voice at home, for example, and in the ministry. The Spirit speaks to you about your inadequacies and deeds of the body. Even though you are perfect according to your conscience, you nevertheless do what you hate because of sin in your flesh, the sin from which you have not yet been set free. Rom. 7:21. Therefore, we must be on guard so that we partake of sanctification, which is to put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit. Rom. 8:12-13. Then I am not consciously sinning; nevertheless, I still know that there is something that I have to judge in myself. This is the life of the bride. What is God’s will? It is that which is good, acceptable, and perfect. Rom. 12:2. Is this how my friends experience me? Do they sense my goodness? Is this really so, or do they sense that hardness, that strength that I am the one who has light in these matters? God has forever condemned this mindset. Let us have this prayer in our hearts which David also prayed when he wrote in his Psalms: teach me, help me, mold me, do something with my life, O God! This is poverty of spirit. Such people possess the kingdom of heaven. We can only hear the Spirit’s voice when we are humble and have lowly thoughts about ourselves. When you are conceited, you hear only the echo of your ego but imagine that you hear the Spirit’s voice; this is the truth. But if you are poor and lowly and have been set free from sin in your life, then you can hear so that God can use you in His ministry. Rom. 6:22-23. It is written that wisdom is gained by “opportunity of leisure,” i.e., by seizing the moment. Sir. 38:24. You must arm yourself and be prepared to fight on the evil day. Eph. 6:13. You know that tribulations are coming, that temptations are coming, and that you must be prepared. We shall not wait until the difficulties surprise us, far from it! 1 Pet. 4:12-13. You must fill yourself with God’s word so that there is power in your punches when you retaliate against the devil’s attacks. You can fight this battle with the Word, and win, for God is in His word. When you are in God’s Spirit, one word from God can bind the devil! Therefore, you shall never let anyone despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, and purity. 1 Tim. 4:12. Many want to be the Lord’s servants in their youth, but they do not appreciate the importance of being examples. But with God’s word as the power in your life, you become someone who carries things through, who overcomes the hosts of wickedness in heavenly places, and becomes an example who has God’s word to give! Then you can help people in the right way with the same comfort and help that you have received from God. 2 Cor. 1:3-7. May God raise up many such faithful young people who know how to fight according to the rules. 2 Tim. 2.Kåre J. Smith