The following is excerpted from the book “Thoughts for Young Men” by J.C. Ryle. In his book, Ryle warns of five common dangers that young men face. Even though Ryle wrote these words in the 1800s, they are as relevant as ever. The following are selected excerpts from his chapter on ‘Dangers of Young Men’.
Danger #1- Pride
Pride is the oldest sin in the world.
Pride threw Adam out of Paradise.
Pride sits in all our hearts by nature.
How common is it to see young men with big heads, high-minded, and impatient of any counsel.
How often will they not stop to listen to a hint from any older person! They think that they know everything. They are full of conceit of their own wisdom.
Young men, I beseech you earnestly, beware of pride. Two things are said to be very rare sights in the world- one is a young man that is humble, and the other is an old man that is content. I fear that this is only too true.
Do not be proud of your own abilities, your own strength, your own knowledge, your own appearance, your own cleverness. Do not be proud of yourself and your endowments of any kind. It all comes from not knowing yourself and the world. The older you grow, and the more you see, the less reason you will find for being proud. Ignorance and inexperience are the pedestal of pride; once the pedestal is removed- pride will soon come down.
Remember how often Scripture sets before us the excellence of a humble spirit. How strongly we are warned- “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…” (Rom. 12:3). How plainly we are told, “And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” (1 Cor. 8:2). How strict is the command, “Put on therefore…humbleness of mind” (Col. 3:12). And again, “Be clothed with humility” (1 Pet. 5:5). This is the garment of which many seem not to have so much as a rag.
Danger #2- Love of Pleasure
Youth is the time when our passions are strongest- and like unruly children, cry most loudly for indulgence. Youth is generally the time when we have generally our most health and strength: death seems far away, and to enjoy ourselves in this life seems to be everything. Youth is the time when most people have few earthly cares or anxieties to take up their attention. And all these things help to make young men think of nothing but pleasure.
Young men, time would not permit me to tell you all the fruits this love of pleasure produces, and all the ways in which it may do you harm…Do not be like those of whom Paul speaks, “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:4).
Remember what I say: if you would cling to earthly pleasures- these are the things which murder souls. There is no surer way to get a seared conscience and a hard heart towards the things of God, than to give away to the desires of the flesh and mind.
Consider what Peter says: “Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Pet. 2:11). They destroy the soul’s peace, break down its strength, lead it into captivity, and make it a slave.
All that glitters is not gold. All that tastes sweet is not good. All that pleases for a while is not real pleasure.
I will not shrink from warning all young men to remember the seventh commandment; to beware of adultery and sexual immorality, of all impurity of every kind.
The violation of the seventh commandment is the sin above all others, that, as Hosea says, “take[s] away the heart” (Hos. 4:11). It is the sin that leaves the deepest scars upon the soul than any other sin that a man can commit. It is a sin that destroys thousands of young men in every age, and has even overthrown a few of the saints of God in the past.
Young men, “Flee fornication [sexual immorality]” (1 Cor. 6:18) if you love life…Flee from the opportunity of it- from the company of those who might draw you into it- from the places where you might be tempted to do it.
Flee from the thoughts of it; resist them, destroy them, prayer against them- make any sacrifice rather than give way to them. Imagination is the hotbed where this sin is too often hatched. Guard your thoughts, and there will be little fear about your actions.
Danger #3- Thoughtlessness
Not thinking is one simple reason why thousands of souls are thrown away forever into the Lake of Fire. Men will not consider, will not look ahead, will not look around them, will not reflect on the end of their present course, and the sure consequences of their present days, and wake up to find they are damned for a lack of thinking.
Young men, none are in more danger of this than yourselves. You know little of the perils around you, and so you are careless how you walk. You hate the trouble of serious, quiet thinking, and so you make wrong decisions and bring upon yourselves much sorrow. Young Esau had to have his brother’s stew and sold his birthright: he never thought how much he would want it in the future.
“Don’t think”, whispers Satan: he knows that an unconverted heart is like a dishonest businessman’s financial records, they will not bear close inspection.
“Consider your ways”, says the Word of God- stop and think- consider and be wise.
Young men, learn to be thoughtful! Learn to consider what you are doing, and where you are going. Make time for calm reflection. Commune with your own heart, and be still.
Danger #4- Contempt of Christianity
I always observe that none pay so little outward respect to Christianity as young men. None take so little part in our services, when they are present at them- use Bibles so little- sing so little- listen to preaching so little. None are so generally absent at prayer meetings, Bible studies, and all other weekday helps to the soul. Young men seem to think they do not need these things- they may be good for women and old men, but not for them.
Contempt of holy things is the straight road to hell. Once a man begins to make a joke of any part of Christianity, then I am never surprised to hear that he has turned out to be an unbeliever.
Young men, have you really made up your minds to this? Have you clearly looked into the fires which are before you, if you persist in despising Christianity? Call to mind the words of David: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Ps. 14:1). The fool, and no one but the fool has said it: but he has never proved it!
Remember, if there was ever a book which has proved true from beginning to end, by every kind of evidence, that book is the Bible. It has defied the attacks of all enemies and faultfinders.
Depend on it, no man is so grossly naïve as the man who denies the Bible to be the Word of God; and if it be the Word of God, be careful that you don’t despise it.
Danger #5- Fear of Man’s Opinion
“The fear of man” will indeed bring “a snare” (Prov. 29:25). It is terrible to observe the power which it has over most minds, and especially over the minds of the young. Few seem to have any opinions of their own, or to think for themselves. Like dead fish, they go with the stream and tide: what others think is right, they think is right; and what others call wrong, they call wrong too…They dread the idea of going against the current of the times.
The thought, ‘What will my friends say or think of me?’ has nipped many a good inclination in the bud. The fear of being looked at, laughed at, ridiculed, prevents many a good habit from being taken up.
Young men, I want you all to be free from this bondage. I want each of you to care nothing about man’s opinion, when the path of duty is clear…Learn to say ‘No!’. Don’t let the fear of not seeming good-natured make you unable to do it. When sinners entice you, be able to say decidedly, ‘I will not give in to them’.
Consider how unreasonable this fear of man is. How short lived is man’s hostility, and how little harm he can do to you! “Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth?” (Is. 51:12-13)
And how thankless is this fear! No one will really think better of you for it. The world always respects those the most, who act boldly for God. Oh, break these bonds, and cast these chains from you! Never be ashamed of letting men see that you want to go to heaven. Do not think it is a disgrace to show that you are a servant of God. Never be afraid of doing right.
