Evasion & Pursuit Strategies

2 Timothy 2:22-26

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. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

See v22a. "Flee the evil desires of youth"

The term "Flee" is understood if v26b is read.

"escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." (26b)

• the trap of the devil: the devil traps through the evil desires, therefore flee!
• has taken them captive: the trap was in order to captivate, therefore flee!
• to do his will: people you see doing what is wrong are his captives, therefore flee so that you may be neither captivated nor doing his will!

See v22b. "pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Pursue is related to 'goals' and 'actions'. This word "pursue" indicates that we are asked to not only actively flee negative sources but also actively pursue positive directions.

In Ephesians 6:14 and 16, "righteousness" is "the breastplate" and "faith" is "the shield", among the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17) to put on.

"along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart": let us surround ourselves with right people of right purpose and right motives.

Good reading materials during mid-year recess are found @ http://christiscoming777.com/.

The information in the above website includes what to know about 'the traps of the devil' so that we may not be ensnared.