The world is filled with critics! Everyone has an opinion. Many of those opinions are not based on fact or even first-hand experience. There is a “popular” wisdom that is in fact, not wisdom at all. Many of the viewpoints of today’s Christians are simply assumptions based on what we have heard others say. One of those beliefs is that you cannot expect much from those who are young.
Such was Timothy’s dilemma. The apostle Paul had sent him to work with a troubled church. Yet there were those who accepted the commonly held view that young adults had nothing substantive to offer the church. Timothy, who was gentle in spirit, would surely be sensitive to the barbs that were inevitably thrown his way by those who did not respect his youthful leadership or like what he had to say.
Paul’s advice was to refuse to let other people label him or try and limit what God intended to do through him. There is no point in arguing with such people. The key is to live our lives as an example in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. Let your actions do your talking and in time you will prove that your critics didn’t know what they were talking about.