S) "5 Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."
2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB)
O) There are, at least, four points that should be highlighted about this single, short verse. First, "flee from," is a very strong wording. Nowhere in the Bible are we told to fight temptation. We are told to proactively pray against being tempted, but when we are tempted, we are told to flee (or take escape, like 1 Corinth.10:13). Enduring a temptation is not about white-knuckled resistance, it's about survival. It's not about abiding in temptation, but getting through it unscathed. Second, "youthful lusts" is both plural and vague. It is not just talking about sexual temptation. I think this is an example of Paul leaving things intentionally undefined, so that we don't get hung up on details. This principle applies to all forms of fleshly temptation. The "youth" period he mentions, I think, is not a physical age but a reference to spiritual youth. As we mature in Christ, the things that used to tempt us easily should not be so much a snare to us. However, there are still temptations that persist in us all, even from our youngest days in Christ. Third, "pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace," is perhaps the most vital element of this verse. Too often, we get caught up in the importance of fleeing, and we neglect the pursuing part. It is simply not enough, not practical, and not sustainable, to run away all the time. It's too easy to get distracted. It's too easy to forget why we're running, especially if we've put a lot of distance between us and the youthful lusts. However, pursuing righteousness is a course that only has one path. That is a course that always has road ahead, because we never really arrive. So, even though distractions may still come, on the best or worst days, the pursuit remains the same. Fleeing can begin to feel arbitrary, when you've been on the run a long time. Pursuing is worthwhile. Fourth, "with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." This last point is maybe the most subtle. Having said that, it rivals the third point, in terms of importance. Even in the physical world, running alone is exhausting, more taxing mentally, more prone to discouragement, and generally not as fruitful. In spiritual terms, all of this becomes accentuated. We need each other. We need support, prayer, healing, encouragement, accountability, and empathy. The ideal, the best of this, is to be done with others who also come to God from a pure heart. This means we must also call on the Lord from a pure heart, ourselves. We cannot do this - the fleeing, from various lusts, pursuing God - we cannot do this alone for very long, very well. Even the best of us, even the most prominent leaders like Timothy, we need running mates.
A) Step one: lace up! Listed in the armor of God is to have feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Throughout His ministry, Jesus warned us to be ready. Paul reiterated that, as did Peter. Along with being ready for the return of my Lord, and along with being ready to share the gospel and my testimony, I must be ready to run from temptation. Step two: identify problems. I cannot run from what I cannot recognize. The best way for me to understand what is tripping me, is for me to stand on the words of God. Spending time in the Bible, and praying for the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart, I will begin to understand what the lusts of my youth are. Step three: identify righteousness, faith, love, and peace, and start chasing them. Again, this is done through study of the Word, and also by following the examples of other righteous men. That leads us directly to Step four: get running partners. For these purposes, it is important to find men who will run with the same fervor I have, out of the same purity of heart and love for God. Experience has shown me that it is the most helpful if I am running with men who more closely understand my struggles fleeing sin, but also that understand my passion for running toward righteousness. I should seek these men, and I should also make myself available to other men who need running partners as well.
P) Father, thank You for the promises I have in Christ. Thank You for never allowing me to be tempted without providing a way of escape. Thank You for equipping me for everything You ask of me. Thank You for empowering me, for the Holy Spirit in my life, that I am not trying to run alone. Thank You for the men who have run alongside me. Help me to keep my eye on the prize, Lord. Help me to maintain focus, to remember the reasons I run. Help me to identify the sinful temptations in my life, and to waste no time before I flee. Help me bear in mind that I am not only running away from temptation, but I am running toward righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Help me to run alongside other men, to seek them out, to be willing to lift my brother up when he stumbles. Help me to be an encourager, a truth-teller, an empathizer. Let Your will be done in my life, as I run this race, according to Your rules, for Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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