Flee the Passions of Youth 2 Timothy 2:22.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
Dear People of whom the World Is not Worthy,
The allure of sin and the world is real and a great threat to the youth, especially. Timothy was young and under this threat. Paul advised him to flee.
Run From. There is no room for negotiating with sin. Those who do not take flight end up sinning. “Youthful passions” include sexual temptation but it is more than that. Indulging in drugs, fights, and quarrels, and the pursuit of pleasure through experimentation is all part of it. The flight is the safest action.
Run After. As we flee sinful passions, we should be in pursuit of godly virtues. The four listed here are not necessarily exhaustive, but they do cover a broad range. Righteousness is the attitude of desiring and doing that which is right. Faith is trust in God and in the fact of his sovereignty. A person of faith will follow God’s path even when it appears hopeless because he knows that God will not fail him. Love is the selfless desire to see the best come to others and the willingness to make it happen at a personal cost. Peace is the state of harmony with others that not only avoids quarrels but also pursues positive relationships.
Run With. We ought not to run alone. There are others of sincere faith, alongside whom we should run, in our pursuit of virtue. It helps to have the company of like mind in the race and as the writer of Hebrews says, “let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25).
Your Loving Pastor Chris.