2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
As the Apostle Paul mentors Timothy he calls on him to be a clean, sanctified vessel that is prepared and useful to God. (2 Timothy 2:21). To be clean and sanctified Paul now teaches Timothy three actions to take that involve the word “run.”
To become a clean, sanctified, useful vessel there will be things that you must run away from.
To become a clean, sanctified, useful vessel there will be things that you must run after.
To become a clean, sanctified, useful vessel there will be people you must run with.
As we battle temptations some battles are best won by resisting while retreating is the best way to win other battles. Yes, we win some battles by retreating. We win by running away. Our verse tells us to “flee” youth lust. The Greek word for “flee” gives us the English word “fugitive.” We are to be a fugitive with youth lust. As a fugitive, we are to run away from and hide from temptations!
A principle I use here is don’t stay at places where temptations are prone to win.
While running away from temptations Paul teaches Timothy and us that we should be running after those things that strengthen our walk with the Lord. We are to pursue – be running after righteousness (doing what is right); faith (trusting God in every area of our lives), love (the action we take with both saved and lost, peace (keeping calm with one another even during storms).
So we are running away from sinful things, and we are running after sanctified things.
We are running away from hurtful things, and we are running after helpful things.
There are temptations we are running away from and there are godly actions we are running after!
Paul gives one more teaching to Timothy and us, that is very crucial in being successful in becoming a clean, sanctified, useful vessel. His last statement of this verse tells us to consider who we choose to run with as who we run with will influence our lives. You will want to run with those who are saved and who are seeking to be a sanctified vessel. (Call on the Lord with a pure heart.)
In applying our verse of 2 Timothy 2:22 we suggest asking three questions every day:
What do you need to be running away from?
What do you need to be running after?
Who do you need to be running with?
The answers to these three questions will greatly determine if you will be a clean, sanctified, useful vessel to the Lord.
Personal note: 2 Timothy 2:22 is one of the most important verses I have ever learned. I encourage you to memorize, meditate, and apply.
Continue Strong run from the bad and run after the godly,
And remember to DATE The Word