20 Rules for Young Men: Walking in Wisdom and Strength

Here are the 20 Rules for Young Men, biblically inspired:

1. Never date a friend’s ex—honor your brother as yourself (Romans 12:10).
2. It’s okay to go to the movies by yourself—solitude builds strength.
3. Hygiene is more important than you think—present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1).
4. Know the difference between love and lust—flee sexual immorality and pursue pure love that honors God (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
5. Stay informed on what’s going on. Don’t be weak—be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16).
6. Have a sense of humor, but don’t joke about your dreams and goals—guard your heart and words, for they determine the course of your life (Proverbs 4:23).
7. Study the types of people who upset you and why—examine yourself and grow in self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
8. Stand up to bullies. You’ll only have to do it once—be strong and courageous, as the Lord commanded Joshua (Joshua 1:9).
9. Never bully people weaker than you—defend the vulnerable and do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
10. Learn how to tell stories—your testimony and words carry power to build up others (Ephesians 4:29).
11. Don’t complain. 80% of people don’t care about your problems, and 20% are glad you have them—do all things without grumbling, as lights in a crooked generation (Philippians 2:14-15).
12. Be impressed by the things that matter—set your mind on things above, not earthly vanities (Colossians 3:2).
13. When coming across a successful person, talk less, ask more—listen to gain wisdom, for in many words sin is not absent (Proverbs 10:19).
14. Leave a lasting impression after people meet you—let your light shine so they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
15. Don’t feel guilty for being too ambitious—whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
16. Be mentally and emotionally ready to lose loved ones at some point in your life—set your hope fully on the resurrection and eternal life in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
17. Always have some cash with you—be prudent and prepared, like the wise virgins (Proverbs 22:3; Matthew 25).
18. Regardless of what you get paid per hour, give your best—serve as unto the Lord, not men (Colossians 3:23-24).
19. Avoid porn at all costs—make a covenant with your eyes, as Job did, and walk in purity (Job 31:1).
20. You never marry a girl; you marry her entire family—choose wisely, for a prudent wife comes from the Lord (Proverbs 19:14; 18:22).

BONUS: You will date a girl who doesn’t believe in you. Never admire her. Never dismiss the one who does believe in you—seek a godly helper who builds you up in the Lord (Proverbs 31:10-12).