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.
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified
1 Thessalonians 4:3-12
3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
The Supremacy of the Son of God
Colossians 1:15-23
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
A man reaps what he sows
Galatians 6: 7-10
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
My power is made perfect in weakness
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1-4
1Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance
2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord
1 Corinthians 15:58
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called
Philippians 4:4-14
4 If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the
flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of
Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to
the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for
righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing
worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all
things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in
him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,
but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes
from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his
sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow,
attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived
at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took
hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet
to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is
behind and straining towards what is ahead, 14 I press on
towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me
heavenwards in Christ Jesus.
