Being an example

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. 1 Tim 4:12

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 1 Cor 11:1

There’s often talk on this forum about how we boylovers are good for boys. Many of us have had the opportunity to care for a young friend and take on mentoring roles with young people. This is a position of great responsibility and influence. These verses speak about how that influence ought to be handled.
The danger for us as boylovers, because of our sexual interest in boys, is that we can seek to draw our own gratification out of the relationship and we can take advantage of those God has placed in our care.

The Bible calls upon mature believers to be examples to those they lead in what we say, in how we conduct ourselves, in how we love, in the attitudes we adopt. The encouragement is to be like Jesus to them... show them a “spirit” we display, in how we live our walk with God and in the holiness living gospel.

In my own experience I find that boys like to flirt. One of the challenges I face in trying to follow the instructions of these passages is to not flirt back. I need to put to death the desires of my flesh for sexual gratification and walk in self-control.
In the first passage Paul is writing to Timothy who became like a son to him through the mentoring relationship they shared in the work of God’s kingdom. Let us become the family of many young friends to the Glory of God.

Prayer
Father, having a relationship with a boy is one of the most fulfilling experiences for us as boylovers. Please help us to be godly, faithful and inspiring examples to those You give us to care for. Help us to exercise self-control and choose always to act in love. Bless every relationship between the men here and the boys they mentor, may they lead them towards Christ and onwards to salvation, may they enjoy each other’s fellowship from now and into eternity. In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.