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Bro. Turner:
 Why
are older preachers less certain about things, and grow ”soft”
in their preaching against sin? C. B
Reply:
The
querist probably thinks I know some older preacher who could
give us younger fellows the answers. I’ll guarantee the
querist is “younger” — for he is so certain about the
older.
Well,
some folk do grow “soft” after awhile. They begin to
worry about financial security as health fails. They realize
they can no longer start over with the vim and enthusiasm that
once won them praise, and support. No doubt the faith of some is
weakened — they “wear down” under the strain and stress of
pressure. It is much easier now to compromise than to say what
they know will involve them in another “battle.” I’m
afraid some have built a BIG PREACHER reputation, and want to
enjoy its fruits on earth —Oh, what a short-sighted dream! And
some were “soft” all the time. It just took a long poker to
prove it.
Of
course there is another side to this story. It is possible that
long study and experience has given the older man a better
knowledge of God’s word. He may have better judgment then the
younger man who criticizes. None of us, young or old, are the
final word in the matter; but the older man may have learned
enough to become uncertain about matters that are not as “black
or white” as the younger man believes them to be. Of course he
should be able and willing to demonstrate his superior learning,
and not use this claim as a cover-up.
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Sometimes
the older, more experienced man who differs with popular or
consensus opinions is actually showing great courage and
strength. As a young man he may have known no better or felt
compelled (since he was “just getting started”) to fall in
line with his peers. But his trust in the Lord has grown, he
realizes his first positions were more to please brethren, or be
different, so now he says what he really believes is true. He
may be wrong, but the man who speaks his honest convictions is
not “soft.”
I
wonder how Saul’s early Jewish companions must have felt when
he began to “preach the faith he once destroyed” (Gal.
1:23). Did they think he had “grown soft”?
Sometimes
the years make us more considerate of others. We feel closer
personal bonds. We have learned better how to understand
frailties, having needed forgiveness more often. This can cause
us to lose sight of eternal values, and put men before God; but
it can also cause us to use greater patience and wisdom in
helping our brother.
The
problem is not youth, or age. Each have peculiar
advantages and disadvantages. It is a wise old man who can
encourage the young man’s vigorous battle against sin, and
offer advice for the struggle. It is a wise young man that can
carry on an active fight for right without running roughshod
over the older, slower soldier, who is fighting sin in his own
way. Neither fire and thunder, nor gray hairs make for victory:
but the way each of us follow our Lord and King.
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