Many young people start in high school or college with a good Christian experience, but after a period of time they lose the keen edge of its reality. Others retain theirs and grow in grace constantly. What is the secret? Have the latter had fewer Christian conflicts to fight?

Whether in a secular or Christian school one needs to have convictions. This is tragic. They never know what they stand for and therefore are very easily influenced. In a secular school, in living up to your convictions, you may have to stand alone. There is danger even in a Christian school of letting down in your convictions. Others, who are good Christians, will be able to do things that you cannot, and if you are not careful, you will find yourself excusing yourself in doing the same because they can do it.

One of the greatest temptations in a Christian school is to let yourself drift with the spiritual tide, expecting the spirituality of others to carry you through. As Samson of old, you will wake up to find that the power of your spiritual life has fled.

Or perhaps, when studies press heavily you will be tempted to substitute Bible class or chapel periods for the time that should be spent alone with God. To keep spiritual, God must be sought first, even if it means the sacrifice of some much-needed sleep or some pleasure. Then everything else will follow in good order.

Perhaps the greatest temptation in a secular school is in the social realm. The Christian, in order to live up to his standard, will not be able to participate in many of the social activities because of questionable practices or bad associations. Hence, he may feel quite alone. He may have to stand for some persecution in being called a softie or as having too much religion. But as he goes on consistently living his Christian life, he will win the respect of others.

There are other trials and temptations that Christian youth meet in school, but if they flee to Jesus they will become more than conquerors. Christian youth can keep spiritual in school if they will stick to their convictions and keep a clear contact with Christ daily

—E.M.

If the Christian tries to make the best of both worlds—to stand for the truth and yet to cultivate the approval of the ungodly—he will find that his testimony has lost its power and the world itself does not respect him.