You Can't Disesteem Me

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1Timothy 4:12

This is a very interesting statement. Paul tells Timothy not to allow anyone to "despise" his youth...

That sounds good but what could he do to prohibit it. In actuality, the Apostle Paul was really saying, Tim make sure you don't give anyone a reason to point a your age and look down on you. This of course was spoken in regard to his public and private conduct.

Let's look at the word "despise." This word comes for the Greek word kataphronéō which means to form a negative opinion about something or someone.

The is a very powerful compound word. The first part of this word is the Greek word "kata" denoting the serpression of a thing. Kata means "down" or to keep down.

The second part of this word is phronéō meaning to exercise the mind or be wise. When we put these two words together kataphronéō describes the process of someone using their wisdom to keep another down. In fact this word has been translated to disesteem.

Timothy seem to be battling this issue a lot. The enemy was constantly using people to make Timothy think less of himself. Some people know what to say to others that causes them to disesteem themselves.

Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he workeththe work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren. 1 Corinthians 16:10,11

This word "despise" is means to reverse someone's esteem and cause them to doubt their ability. We all have to keep our eyes open for these wise serpents who uses our insecurities against us.