Defining the Youth in TSB Vulnerability Counsel

While the specific text does not provide a chronological age for the youth in that passage, the surrounding counsel indicates that she was of an age where she could be considered one of the "lambs of the flock" and was capable of submitting her own body to be handledTSB 124.4. Such an individual is described as a young woman whose mind could be measurement-defyingly ruined by such vile practicesTSB 124.4.

The Vulnerability of Youth

The term "youth" is used to describe those who are still in a formative period of life and susceptible to demoralizing influencesTSB 20.1.

• Capacity for Submission: The person in question is described as a youth who would submit her body, an act that is characterized as a "vile practice" which ruins the youngTSB 124.4.

• Protection of the Body: These individuals are regarded as the Lord’s property, and any action to corrupt them is a terrible insult to Jesus ChristTSB 124.4.

• Accountability of the Victim: The counsel states that any youth who participates in such unholy imaginings is in no way fit for the kingdom of heavenTSB 124.4.

• Comparison to Children: The seriousness of the act is emphasized by asking the perpetrator if they would practice such things upon their own child, which would be considered incestTSB 124.4.

The Responsibility of the Minister

Regardless of the exact age, the responsibility lies heavily upon the one in a position of trust who misleads these soulsTSB 124.4.

• Lambs of the Flock: The perpetrator, a minister of the gospel, is rebuked for leading the "lambs of the flock" into "Sodomitish practices"TSB 124.4.

• Abominable Practices: Those who lead young women into such habits are performing Satan's work by poisoning their mindsTSB 124.4.

• Divine Observation: Every act committed against a youth is seen by the all-seeing eye of God and recorded by angelsTSB 101.1.

• Call to Abstain: All are besought as strangers and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 1 Peter 2:11.

...athsome. It is a great sin, especially for one who professes to be preaching the gospel of Christ. Any youth who would submit her body to be handled by a man is in no way fit for the kingdom of heaven. All this vile practice and commonness is what is ruining our youth. Would you practice this upon th...— TSB 124.4 (1989)

...e time be preaching the Word to sinners—yourself a sinner? I know how God regards these sins. A married man, a minister of the gospel, leading the lambs of the flock into Sodomitish practices. Now for Christ's sake do not again practice this wicked work and destroy your own soul and the...— TSB 124.4 (1989)

...ell that you have not been permitted to continue this awful polluting practice. It is no light sin. The effect upon the mind of the one who submits herself to your touch cannot be measured. Human beings are the Lord's property, and to do any action to corrupt them is a terrible insu...— TSB 124.4 (1989)