II Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
It is important for believers in Christ to both flee certain things, and follow after others.
The youthful lusts mentioned here are things a young person like Timothy is often inclined to do.
They are youthful longings after things that are often forbidden. Things that satisfy our flesh. That stir up the base passions within us.
We flee these things by following after righteousness. By having faith in God, loving Him and loving others, and pursuing peace.
These are things that people do, who appeal to the Lord from a pure heart.
It should be our daily habit to turn from that which we desire, to the things of God.
This will not come naturally – the youthful lusts are natural – it will actually be quite unnatural.
Thankfully, those who have faith in Jesus have the Holy Spirit living within.
What are we running from today? And what are we running to? We should take our directions from passages like this.
II Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”