Never Be Afraid of Doing What Is Right

Young men, I want you all to be free from this bondage. I want you each to care nothing for man's opinion, when the path of duty is clear. Believe me, it is a great thing to be able to say "No!" Here was good King Jehoshaphat's weak point--he was too easy and yielding in his dealings with Ahab, and hence many of his troubles. (1 Kings 22:4) Learn to say "No!" Let not 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 consent." (Proverbs 1:10)

Consider only how unreasonable this fear of man is. How short-lived is man's enmity, and how little harm he can do 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?" (Isaiah 51:12, 13)

And how thankless is this fear! None will really think better of you for it. The world always respects those most who act boldly for God. Oh, break these bonds, and cast these chains from you! Never be ashamed of letting men see you want to go to Heaven. Think it no disgrace to show yourself a servant of God. Never be afraid of doing what is right.

~ J.C. Ryle in Thoughts for Young Men

Never

Young men, when did God ever fail to keep His word? Never.

What He has said, He has always done; and what He has spoken, He has always made good. Did He fail to keep His word at the flood? No. Did he fail with Sodom and Gomorrah? No. Did He fail with with unbelieving Jerusalem? No. Has He failed with the Jews up to this very hour? No. He has never failed to fulfill His word. Take care, lest you be found amongst those by whom God's Word is despised.

Never laugh at religion. Never make a jest of sacred things. Never mock those who are serious and in earnest about their souls. The time may come when you will count those happy whom you laughed at--a time when your laughter will be turned into sorrow, and your mockery into heaviness.

J.C. Ryle in Thoughts for Young Men

Run Your Heads Into Sorrow

Want of thought is one simple reason why thousands of souls are cast away forever. Men will not consider--will not look forward--will not look around them--will not reflect on the end of their present course, and the sure consequences of their present ways--and awake at last to find they are damned for want 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 heedless how you walk. You hate the trouble of sober, quiet thinking, and so you form wrong decisions and run your heads into sorrow. 

J.C. Ryle in Thoughts for Young Men

It May Become a Useful Servant, but It Is Always a Bad Master

Remember what I say: if you would cleave to earthly pleasures--these are things which murder souls. There is no surer way to get a seared conscience and a hard impenitent heart than to give way to the desires of the flesh and mind. It seems nothing at first, but it tells in the long run.

Consider what Peter says: "Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." (1 Peter 2:11) They destroy the soul's peace, break down its strength, lead it into hard captivity, make it a slave.

Consider what Paul says: "Mortify your members which are upon the earth." (Colossians 3:5). "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts." (Galatians 5:24) "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection." (1 Corinthians 9:27) Once the body was a perfect mansion of the soul--now it is all corrupt and disordered, and needs constant watching. It is a burden to the soul--not a helpmeet; a hindrance--not an assistance. It may become a useful servant, but it is always a bad master.

J.C. Ryle in Thoughts for Young Men

We Are Born Proud

Pride sits in all our hearts by nature. We are born proud. Pride makes us rest satisfied with ourselves--think we are good enough as we are--stop our ears against advice--refuse the gospel of Christ--turn every one to his own way. But pride never reigns anywhere so powerfully as in the heart of a young man.

How common it is to see young men heady, high-minded, and impatient of counsel! How often they are rude and uncourteous to all about them, thinking they are not valued and honored as they deserve! How often they will not stop to listen to a hint from an older person! They think they know everything. They are full of conceit of their own wisdom. They reckon elderly people, and especially their relations, stupid, and dull, and slow. They fancy they want no teaching of instruction themselves: they understand all things. It makes them almost angry to be spoken to. Like young horses, they cannot bear the least control. They must needs be independent, and have their own way. They seem to think, like those whom Job mentioned, "We are the people, and wisdom shall die with us." (Job 12:2). And this is all pride.

J.C. Ryle in Thoughts for Young Men

I picked this book up a while back. I've been slow to read it because I know it will be convicting. So far, that's true.