Learn

"You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." -1 Peter 5.5

In this verse, Peter begins to address a new audience. He shifts from speaking to the elders about leading well, and now focuses on the youth. He addresses the younger men, those who not leaders, and he challenges them to be subject to the elders. They are to learn from them, being discipled as they sit at the feet of those who have lived and experienced life. Just as elders are to lead the flock they have been entrusted with, the young men are to model the example of a learner by being humble before the elders.

With age and life experience comes wisdom, and the younger are being called to learn form the older. Decades of life bring both success and failure, both are valuable teachers. Failure teaches about what not do, the things to avoid, the dangers to watch out for, and the trials that must be overcome. Success teaches to dream, showing what has been accomplished, and outlining the foundation that is there to be built upon.

A young man must never be too arrogant that he refuses to learn. My mind goes to the Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah. Elisha was a young man who subjected himself to his elder, learned from him, and had a fruitful ministry after the death of his teacher. Elisha was humble, and his humility allowed him to have great influence. Elisha was also influential in the life of a young man named Gehazi. Gehazi had the opportunity to be used by God for great things, he may have even succeeded Elisha to become an influential prophet over Israel, but Gehazi did not have the same humble attitude that Elisha possessed. He sought to gain, not to learn.

When Naaman, the general of Aram, comes to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy, he tries to give Elisha payment for the cure. Elisha refuses payment, and Naaman leaves to return home. Gehazi is not satisfied, and has not learned from Elisha the way that Elisha learned from Elijah. He rides after Naaman, lies and claims a reward that he should not have taken. He returns, and when questioned, lies to Elisha. His time of service to the prophet has been marked with arrogance, not submissive learning, and rather than receiving the blessing of a double portion of Elisha's spirit, enabling him to assume the mantel of Israel's prophet, Gehazi is cursed with Naaman's disease. "'Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.' So he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow." (2 Kings 5.27)

When we are willing to be humble, submitting to the instruction of our elders, we can learn and be blessed with taking up the mantel of leadership. If we refuse to listen, we will curse ourselves with making avoidable mistakes because we arrogantly rejected the warnings offered by the voice of experience.

Young men, find a mentor, ask God for one, and sit at their feet to be discipled.


Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!