There are many aspects that youth must deal with in their lives which has led to a “youth crisis”. I will cover the topic of peer pressure. “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.” 1 Corinthians 11:1–2. These verses state that no matter what, we should be followers of Christ and keep His ordinances as they are, and never stray. As youth, we encounter many new things as we go into the world or to school, or to a new work environment, etc.
Peer pressure is not the only type of pressure that youth may face. They may face family pressure, academic pressure or work pressure. The official definition of peer pressure is “The social influence a peer group exerts on its individual members, as each member attempts to conform to the expectations of the group.” So basically, a person will attempt to try new things or dress differently, or change their personality to fit in to the “Social norm” or “Social expectations.” You may also call it “trendiness.” Peer pressure can be very dangerous because if we want to follow the Lord, a lot of the time, we will not be able conform to the “social norms” because they go against the expressed will of God. Let me give you an example from my own personal experiences.
I recently entered high school in September, and it was a very big adjustment because they were bigger kids, a bigger work load, and bigger temptations. In middle school, I had a group of friends with whom I was very close with. We hung out together all the time, and we talked all the time. Over the summer, we never really talked to each other that much. Then came September, and school started again—High School. The group that I used to call my best friends, we had grown apart over the summer. Some of us went to different schools now, and those who went to the same school as me did not have classes with me. That aided in our drifting. Some of them began smoking, others began doing drugs and others began vaping. They did invite me to join them, but I declined. They moved on, and began making more friends, while I made new friends who were “pure” as they did not smoke or vape. I used to call some of those people my best friends, and now all we do is say hi in the hallway. It was a bit discouraging, but at the same time I had found new people, and a new group who shared my interests and not theirs.
It is not only the youth who get tempted and pressured by the people around them. Solomon, the wisest man to have ever lived, fell prey to pressure and temptation. With all his heathen wives, it was bound to happen. “And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.” 1 Kings 11:3–8. We can see that Solomon turned away from God, and turned to idols, because of the pressure to make all his wives happy. In the end of his life, he realized the error of his ways, and asked for forgiveness. He was forgiven, and then, not long after he died.
The main point here is that we should not surround ourselves with toxic people, who do evil in the sight of the Lord. We should separate ourselves from them, as God said we should. It is my wish and prayer that we, as youth, and the rest of the church, the adults, not be tempted and pressured into things we do not want to do or things that God had specifically told us not to do. Let us be leaders, and not followers. “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” Mathew 15:14. May God help us in the new year to be careful when we choose new companions and face new obstacles. May Jesus help us be an example to the world, instead of following blindly to fit in. Amen.
Stephen Newby
DRESS
Another aspect of the youth crisis is clothing. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing gold, or putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:3–4
How should we dress? Our clothing should be inexpensive, comfortable, simple and modest. This does not mean that we should wear bad quality clothes. “But our clothing, while modest and simple, should be of good quality, of becoming colours, and suited for service.” –Messages to Young People, p. 351
Simplicity and modesty are also very important. We cannot dress like the world. We are a chosen people, so we must look and behave differently. Sometimes it can be hard not to follow some trends or to dress like your friends, but we have to remember that we represent Jesus here on this earth. “Satan is ever inventing fashions that cannot be followed except through the sacrifice of money, time, and health.” –Ibid., p. 359
How about when we come to church? We must dress nicely but modestly and not look like we do not care about how we look. We are going into God’s church and therefore we should be respectful to the heavenly kingdom and wear simple, neat, modest, and pure clothes. We must remember, Jesus is here with us. It is my wish and prayer that we may remember that we are a peculiar people, called to be an example to others in our dress and behaviour. Amen.
Sarah Newby
MUSIC
Where did music originate? What was music’s original purpose?
“The hour for joyful, happy songs of praise to God and His dear Son had come. Satan had led the heavenly choir. He had raised the first note, then all the angelic host united with him, and glorious strains of music had resounded through Heaven in honour of God and His dear Son. But now, instead of strains of sweetest music, discord and angry words fall upon the ear of the great rebel leader.” –The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 28
Music originated in heaven for the purpose of singing praise in worship to God. Lucifer was the leader of the angelic choir and was created perfect. In Ezekiel 28:15 it says: “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”
God’s original design for music was for praise during worship to Him. Worship is a spiritual act, so much so, that music has the power to drive out evil spirits. An example can be found in 1 Samuel 16:23: “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.” We see then that if Godly music has the power to drive out evil spirits, we can conclude that worldly music does just the opposite; it has the power to invite them in.
Worldly music is very attractive, it is catchy and alluring. The reason behind this is very simple. Music is powerful. According to advertising results, researchers have found that music invokes memory. Music invokes emotion and nostalgia. Naturally, advertising with music is an effective marketing technique. A well-composed jingle will stick with people, playing on repeat in their heads. Just listening a few times to an effective jingle will recall memory and emotion. When we hear a familiar song, we are often able to recall a moment from our past that is connected to that tune. Many times we may even complain of “getting a song stuck in our head,” which shows that music is easily ingrained in our memory. Therefore, information set to music is among the easiest to remember.
Knowing this, Satan, is using the power of music to lure many young people. A famous American rock guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, once said, “Music is a spiritual thing all on its own, once you hypnotize one with the music you can preach to the SUBCONSCIOUS mind what you want to say.”
Therefore, when we listen to worldly music, what are we feeding our minds, and who is ultimately speaking to us? Only Satan. However, we often try to rationalize our choice of music, and begin to reason with the devil as did Eve in the Garden of Eden. We know Eve reasoned with the serpent, and began to dialogue about sin with the devil, and therefore she failed to see its deceptive power and its penalty, which is death. The serpent told Eve, “Ye shall not surely die.” Genesis 3:4. In the same way we can become confused and repeat the same words in our mind and tell ourselves, “You shall not surely die, It’s just music, it’s harmless, everyone else is doing it.”
Knowing that singing heavenly music is an act of worship to our heavenly Creator, then on the other side, singing or listening to worldly music is an act of worship to Satan himself. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9. By nature we are inclined to sin, to even enjoy sin, but God is calling us today to come out of darkness and into His light.
When we listen to music two things occur. First, thoughts are put into our minds. And second, feelings begin to occur. What thoughts are created with worldly music? And what feelings are produced when we hear worldly music? If by beholding we become changed, into whose image are we becoming like? Jesus our Saviour, or Satan the Deceiver? When we behold or contemplate worldly music we are inclined to follow that which we are listening to. Unconsciously, we become changed to that which we listen to. But, when we behold heavenly music, we become closer to the image of God. We begin to reflect the God who created us.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24
It is not easy to let go of something we so dearly like, as music. It lures us and pulls us towards it. But there is hope. “Come to Jesus just as you are, and He will receive you, and put a new song in your mouth, even praise to God.” –Gospel Workers 1892, p. 451
Let us bring every desire to Him, whether good or bad and He will help us overcome daily. If we lack praises to Him He will put the desire to praise Him in us if we permit Him and are willing to leave off with the worldly music.
It is my wish and prayer that we may remember that it is our character we take to heaven. Now is the time to allow God to build our character. Let us feed our ears and eyes with heavenly things. Make it your decision today to surrender fully to Him and allow Him to change you. “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15. Amen.
Mabel Urizar/Cyrus Newby