Run from Temptations

 

2 Timothy 2:22 CEV
Run from temptations that capture young people. Always do the right thing. Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with. Worship with people whose hearts are pure.

The apostle Paul wrote the second letter to Timothy, his beloved son in the faith, to encourage him and instruct him in his ministry. In chapter 2, Paul exhorts Timothy to be a faithful and diligent servant of God, who rightly handles the word of truth and avoids worldly and empty chatter. In verse 22, Paul gives Timothy a concise and practical summary of how to live a godly life as a young Christian. He says, "Run from temptations that capture young people. Always do the right thing. Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with. Worship with people whose hearts are pure." (CEV) In this essay, I will explain and apply these four principles to our lives today.

First, Paul tells Timothy to run from temptations that capture young people.

Temptations are anything that entices us to sin against God and disobey his commands.

Young people are especially vulnerable to temptations, because they are often influenced by their peers, their passions, and their culture.

Some of the temptations that people face today are sexual immorality, greed, pride, anger, envy, and idolatry. These temptations can harm our relationship with God and others, and lead us to guilt, shame, and destruction.

Therefore, we must resist and flee from these temptations, as Joseph did when he was tempted by Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39).

We can do this by praying to God for strength and grace, by having accountability partners who can help us and pray for us, by meditating on God's word and hiding it in our hearts, and by avoiding situations and places that can trigger our temptations.

Second, Paul tells Timothy to always do the right thing. The right thing is what God wants us to do, according to his will and his word. God has revealed his will and his word to us in the Bible, which is the ultimate authority and standard for our lives.

Doing the right thing means obeying God's commands, such as loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).

Doing the right thing also means following God's guidance, such as seeking his kingdom and his righteousness first, and trusting him to provide for our needs (Matthew 6:33-34).

Doing the right thing can honor God and bless others, and lead us to peace, joy, and reward.

Therefore, we must discern and do the right thing, as Daniel did when he refused to compromise his faith and worship idols (Daniel 6).

We can do this by asking God for wisdom and understanding, by obeying God's voice and prompting, by having faith in God's promises and power, and by doing everything for God's glory and not our own.

Third, Paul tells Timothy to be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with.

These are the qualities of a godly person, who reflects God's character and love.

God is faithful, meaning he is true to his word and loyal to his people. God is loving, meaning he cares for us and sacrifices for us.

God is easy to get along with, meaning he is gracious and merciful to us. We are called to imitate God and be like him in these qualities, as his children and his representatives.

Being faithful, loving, and easy to get along with means serving others with kindness and humility, as Jesus did when he washed his disciples' feet (John 13).

It also means forgiving others as God has forgiven us, as Jesus taught us in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:12).

These qualities can reflect God's character and love, and lead us to unity, harmony, and friendship. Therefore, we must cultivate and demonstrate these qualities, as Paul did when he showed his love and concern for the churches he planted (2 Corinthians 11:28).

We can do this by asking God to fill us with his Spirit and his love, by putting others' interests above our own, by bearing with one another and being gentle and patient, and by seeking peace and reconciliation with others.

Fourth, Paul tells Timothy to worship with people whose hearts are pure. Worship is the expression of our love and devotion to God, through our words and actions.

Purity of heart is the condition of our inner being, which is cleansed from sin and devoted to God.

Worship and purity of heart are closely related, because only those who have pure hearts can worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Worship and purity of heart are also important, because they please God and edify others. God desires our worship and our purity of heart, more than our sacrifices and rituals (Psalm 51:16-17).

Worship and purity of heart can also strengthen our faith and our fellowship, as we draw near to God and to one another.

Therefore, we must worship and maintain a pure heart, as David did when he repented of his sin and sought God's presence (Psalm 51). We can do this by asking God to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, by praising God for who he is and what he has done, by fellowshiping with other believers who love God and seek him, and by edifying others with our words and gifts.

In conclusion, Paul gives us a concise and practical summary of how to live a godly life.

He tells us to run from temptations, do the right thing, be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with, and worship with people whose hearts are pure.

These four principles can help us grow in our relationship with God and others, and fulfill our purpose and calling as God's servants.

Let us apply these principles to our lives today, and ask God to help us live a godly life.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your word and your guidance. Thank you for calling me to live a godly life as a young Christian. Please help me to follow the instructions in 2 Timothy 2:22.

Lord, please help me to run from temptations that capture young people. Help me to resist the devil and his schemes. Help me to flee from anything that dishonors you and harms me or others. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and your power.

Lord, please help me to always do the right thing. Help me to know your will and your word. Help me to obey your commands and your voice. Help me to honor you and bless others with my actions.

Lord, please help me to be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with. Help me to reflect your character and your love. Help me to serve others with kindness and humility. Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me.

Lord, please help me to worship with people whose hearts are pure. Help me to praise you with sincerity and joy. Help me to fellowship with other believers who love you and seek you. Help me to edify others with my words and gifts.

Lord, I love you and I want to please you. Please help me to live a godly life as a young Christian.
In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen.
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