2 Timothy 2:20-22
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
In verse 22 we are commanded to "flee youthful passions". There are many different desires of youth that this passage could be applied to, but certainly sexual experience is one common desire of youth. It is interesting to note here what our initial response should be ("flee"), and what our long-term response should be ("pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace" (verse 22)). Initially we need to "flee" to escape the temptation, which means actively removing ourself from the situation. But long term the solution is not simply to run away, but to change our desires. Instead of simply desiring achievements like sex or pleasure or power, we should desire character qualities like righteousness, faith, love, and peace. That is a mark of maturity, to be able to desire that which is eternal rather than temporal. When we do that, we become "useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work" (verse 21).
Lord, help me to desire righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
In verse 22 we are commanded to "flee youthful passions". There are many different desires of youth that this passage could be applied to, but certainly sexual experience is one common desire of youth. It is interesting to note here what our initial response should be ("flee"), and what our long-term response should be ("pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace" (verse 22)). Initially we need to "flee" to escape the temptation, which means actively removing ourself from the situation. But long term the solution is not simply to run away, but to change our desires. Instead of simply desiring achievements like sex or pleasure or power, we should desire character qualities like righteousness, faith, love, and peace. That is a mark of maturity, to be able to desire that which is eternal rather than temporal. When we do that, we become "useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work" (verse 21).
Lord, help me to desire righteousness, faith, love, and peace.