Most people cringe at even the mention of the word ‘teenager’. Others have the mindset that teenagers are ignorant, selfish, irresponsible, lazy, self-centered, and rebellious just to name a few. And, most teens live up to the labels given to them. I want to labor on the last one I mentioned; rebellion. Rebellion is a refusal of obedience or order. The culture we live in considers it normal for a teenager to rebel. They excuse it, brush it off, say ‘It’s just a faze, we all have to go through it’, and even encourage it. An article from Wikipedia states “As part of their development into young adults... teenage rebellion has been recognized within psychology as a set of behavioral traits.” “It is used to express their independence and individuality.”The topic of rebellion usually triggers some kind of emotional response. It can ignite fear in the hearts of parents close to adolescence; it can prompt both defensiveness and despair in the hearts of parents struggling with the teen years, or it can inspire a sigh of relief for parents who now have adult children. However, the fact that rebellion is accepted in society today bothers me. Why is it thought that it is necessary or even required to go through this stage during the adolescent period?
This topic brings me back to Camp last year. The theme that ‘just happened’ throughout the week was that of submission. Submission is the opposite of rebellion. It is defined as: “the condition of being submissive, humble, or compliant; an act of submitting to the authority or control of another; the act of submitting to the power of another.” Let’s go to the Bible... “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13.17) “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”(1 Samuel 15.22) “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” (1 Peter 5.5,6) “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5.21) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4.7) So, we are to submit ourselves first to God, and second, to the authority that He has placed in our lives. Which could include, but are not limited to your parents, pastor, teachers, coach, or boss. Obedience is what God wants from us. Rebellion is not cool. Just look at it produces. Look at the end of rebellion.... wasted years, illegitimacy, diseases, shattered relationships, and broken homes; shame, and regret. That’s just the beginning. Why go after something that only has that to offer? I have heard countless people over the years tell their stories of their teen years. Each one of them regret it. Every one of them wish they had not been so rebellious. They are trying to warn us. The ones that have seen the end of the road are now posting warning signs along the path.... are you going to just ignore them and walk on by, or are you going to pay attention and look at where you’re headed. Second, I don’t believe God would give us a command as such without given us the necessary means to do so. If we were incapable to live the teen life without our ‘rebellious stage’, He would not have told us to do so. No matter what society says, I believe it is much better to go around it, rather than through it. Just submit to the authority in your life. They’re there for a reason. You don’t know everything!
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Lizzy parkerMarriage.
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January 2023
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