FLEE
Words of Faith 7-25-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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2 Timothy 2
[22] Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Flee youthful lusts (NASB). What does that mean exactly? How about this? FLEE - Fast Liberation from Excessive Enticement. In other words, run!
The Apostle Paul gave his young protege some of the most practical advice ever. The concept is not deep or ethereal. This is not contemplative theology. It is simple. When you encounter youthful lusts-- run! You cannot mess around. When confronted with desires that entice you, no time can be wasted. Every second that one lingers in the place of temptation is a significant step closer to failure. Don't kid yourself; run.
What was Paul talking about? It might be a particular show or media form that is enticing. It could be a "chance encounter" that happens at an elevator or water cooler... if timed right. It might be the conversation that lingers in an office setting or church parking lot. It might be much more overt... the pay-per-view channels in a hotel or something that pops up on social media. There are many places, but the enticement is the same. A magnetic attraction pulls us away from God and toward a fall into sin.
Paul called these "desires of youth" or "youthful lusts," but temptation has nothing to do with age. Timothy was a young man, but these are the sort of temptations that can entice any person regardless of age. In fact, it would be foolish to think that one is beyond temptation. More and more, we hear of sin rampant in so-called retirement communities that would easily rival the top "party schools."
Paul cautioned all believers in Corinth: "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so you can endure" (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).
Part of our problem is that we think we are "beyond that," maybe because we have had some success and victory. In the very season when we feel we are no longer vulnerable to temptation, the Enemy will creep in. I have talked with many an "older" or "seasoned" believer who confessed to falling into failure in ways they had resisted for decades. So this is not about age.
The other problem I don't even have to point out. We live in a culture increasingly saturated with sensual entertainment, lack of values, casual encounters, and the acceptance of all of the above as "normal." We are a society that no longer blushes at anything. Every imaginable temptation is a mouse click or a cable code away. What do we do? Flee.
We do not have to immerse ourselves in the world's debauchery to "understand" it. We do not need "relate" to it. We also need not be "aghast" or offended in some self-righteous or holier-than-thou manner when we encounter sin. This does nothing for the cause of Christ. Remember that sinners do what they are wired to do; they sin. Don't be shocked.
But when we are in an enticing or tempting place, we need to respond correctly for the sake of our soul and walk with God.
Charles Swindoll taught this passage years ago and shared it with his audience about when he was serving as a Marine in Okinawa. There, in an area with over 5,000 places of prostitution, he found himself in the "red-light" district. His response was to run. He literally ran all the way back to his quarters. He physically fled from the region of temptation.
Have you ever watched a movie and later wished you had walked out? The "walking out" is not so much about making a statement to others; that would be self-righteous. Walking out protects our eyes and spirit from images that do not disappear quickly. One practice is to choose your movies carefully, and when in doubt, sit next to the aisle so that you can make a quick escape.
But what is the plan when a place, time, device, situation, encounter, or relationship entices? Flee. FLEE - Fast - Liberation - from Excessive – Enticement.

Father God, help me to know when to run. Give me the courage and strength to run from those situations that are tempting or enticing. Give me hope in You that overwhelms that which tries to draw me off track. Give me wisdom in choosing the places I go, the media I consume, and the people I am with. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.