2 Timothy 2:19b
“The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

I was just reading in Timothy and that scripture caught my eye.

If we confess the Name of the Lord, we must turn away from wickedness.  It shouldn’t be a part of our lives or our thoughts.   Just as I mentioned in yesterday’s post, we have something to do:  TURN.

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

PURSUE

We are called to FLEE evil desires.  God didn’t say to just turn away from them, but RUN away.  Perhaps those desires easily entangle us if we linger.    I can think of two times in my adult life when I felt something spiritually wash over my mind when I entertained thoughts that the Lord had warned me to cast down.  I knew when I had crossed over the line.  God continued to give me signs and warnings.  He loves us that much!  He gives us His Word, but the Holy Spirit also convicts us.   Eventually when we make the conscious choice to ignore His warnings, He turns us over to our sin.   But to save ourselves from a lot of heartache, regret, and open doors, we should FLEE!

We are instructed to PURSUE righteousness, faith, love, peace, AND those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

First, to pursue righteousness.  What do you think that means?  I am guessing it means to live a moral life that would bring honor to the Lord.

Second, to pursue faith.   How do we pursue faith?  Doesn’t God’s Word say that faith comes by HEARING and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)?   It is imperative that we read God’s Word.  I love to read the Bible out loud so that I may hear it as well.   We should be around others who speak His Word and find a church/home group that teaches God’s Word.

Third, we must pursue love and peace.   If we can pursue it, then obviously it is attainable.  There are always people around us who really can challenge us when it comes to love.  Sometimes we have to ask God to love others through us, but love and peace are always a choice we can make.

Often, people get so focused on God’s love, forgiveness, and grace that they skip over other areas where God’s Word gives instructions.

2 Timothy 2:23-24
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.  And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Have you ever known people who just love to get an argument started?  Avoid … just avoid and move on.  We are instructed to be kind, but not participate.  Back in the “day” when I visited Christian chat rooms on AOL (do they still exist?) we ALWAYS had people pop in to cause discord and argue the scriptures.  Sigh.

Chapter 3 of 2 Timothy continues with the type of people we are to have “nothing to do with” (verse 5).

God definitely gives us warnings, instructions, and wisdom in His Word.

There is no way around it.  As believers, we must know what the Bible has written within or we will walk around foolish — blinded to the schemes of the enemy.   We will look just like the world.

Perhaps this little post will spur you to read the book of 2 Timothy today.

God bless you!