12 Thoughts For Young Men from J.C. Ryle
Seeing as we’ve just spent eight weeks in Exodus, I want to take some time to meditate on what we’ve read and discussed, so we’ll keep the next few devotions light. Treat the next couple of days as recovery sessions.
I’ve greatly benefitted from the book Thoughts For Young Men by J.C. Ryle so I wanted to share a few quotes for your consideration. Ryle has always been one of my favorite writers, and his ability to address the practical issues of everyday life with both courageous candor and pastoral care has helped me greatly.
I first read this book as a younger man, right when I joined the Marines, and I felt like he was speaking directly to me. Certainly worth a read. The link above is a free PDF, but I think the hard copy is worth it too. Enjoy.
“Hell itself is truth known too late. Be wise in time. What youth sows, old age must reap. Do not give the most precious season of your life to that which will not comfort you in the latter days of your life. Sow to yourselves rather in righteousness: break up your hard ground, don't sow among thorns.”
“Value all books in proportion to how they agree with Scripture. Those that are nearest to it are the best, and those that are furthest from it and most contrary to it, are the worst.”
“For another thing, the devil uses special diligence to destroy the souls of young men, and they seem not to know it. Satan knows well that you will make up the next generation, and therefore he employs every art betimes to make you his own. I would not have you ignorant of his devices. You are those on whom he plays off all his choicest temptations. He spreads his net with the most watchful carefulness, to entangle your hearts. He baits his traps with the sweetest morsels, to get you into his power. He displays his wares before your eyes with his utmost ingenuity, in order to make you buy his sugared poisons, and eat his accursed dainties. You are the grand object of his attack.”
“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.”
“Tomorrow is the devil's day, but today is God's. Satan does not care how spiritual your intentions are, or how holy your resolutions, if only they are determined to be done tomorrow.”
“Never make an intimate friend of anyone who is not a friend of God.”
“Believe me, you cannot stand still in your souls. Habits of good or evil are daily strengthening in your hearts. Every day you are either getting nearer to God, or further off.”
“Your soul is the one thing worth living for. It is the part of you which ought always be considered first. No place, no employment is good for you, which injures your soul. No friend, no companion deserves your confidence, who makes light of your soul's concerns.”
“Matthew Henry tells a story of a great statesman in Queen Elizabeth's time, who retired from public life in his latter days, and gave himself up to serious thought. His former merry companions came to visit him, and told him that he was becoming somber: ‘No,’ he replied, ‘I am serious; for everyone around me is serious. God is serious in observing us- Christ is serious in interceding for us- the Spirit is serious in striving with us- the truths of God are serious- our spiritual enemies are serious in their endeavors to ruin us- poor lost sinners.’”
“Never be ashamed of letting men see that you want to go to heaven. Do not think it a disgrace to show that you are a servant of God. Never be afraid of doing what is right.”
“Pride makes us rest content with ourselves- think we are good enough as we are- keep us from taking 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.”
“Habits of good or evil are daily strengthening in your hearts. Every day you are either getting nearer to God, or further off. Every year that you continue unrepentant, the wall of division between you and heaven becomes higher and thicker, and the gulf to be crossed deeper and broader. Oh, dread the hardening effect of constant lingering in sin! Now is the accepted time. See that your decision not be put off until the winter of your days. If you do not seek the Lord when young, the strength of habit is such that you will probably never seek Him at all.”
Which quote resonates with you most?
Have a great one.
God bless you,
T
3, 6, 7, 9, 12. I’m buying several copies for distribution. Thank you for the heads up!