1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

We look on the outward appearance. God looks inward to the heart. When we think of an accomplished holy person that image is typically of an older gray haired person. But we cannot see into what their heart consists of. We do not know how long or how much effort they put into drawing closer to the Lord.

Timothy was a young man who spent time with Paul and became saved through his teaching. He was full of the Holy Spirit and his heart was bent towards Jesus. Paul walked with him and understood the way Timothy was perceived. His youth made people doubt his holiness. So Paul encouraged him to be an example every day to the walk in faith he proclaimed.

He was to be an example in word. How and what he talked to people about was to be full of goodness. In conduct, the way he handled others and his business was to reflect Christ. In love, being a Christian means showing people you care not just saying it. In spirit, people read body language and judge intent, does this show God? In faith, being a Christian is walking by what we do not see but are shown by the Holy Spirit. In purity, what is the intention we have in conducting ourselves in daily life.

If we get these right then God will shine through us no matter what the outward appearance might look like. We are to do this to influence others around us to want to know Jesus. We are not perfect but our daily walk is to lay a path to the understanding of the effect Jesus has had on us.