December 2006
SWORD N SPIRIT
www.swordnspirit.com
FLEE THE LUST & FOLLOW THE LORD
STATING THE SCRIPTURES (II Timothy 2:22-26)
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. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 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.
SETTING THE STAGE
Let me tell you the true story of a duke who lived during the fourteenth century named Raynald III. Raynald III lived a life of indulgence and was obese. His Latin nickname was Crassus, which means, “fat.”
One day Raynald and his younger brother, Edward, got into a vicious fight and Edward planned and executed a triumphant revolt against Raynald. Edward took his older brother into custody but did not take his life. Edward decided to construct a room around Raynald in the Nieuwkerk Castle and promised his brother that he would enjoy freedom once again when he was able to leave the room.
Now for the average Joe this wouldn’t have been much of a challenge, because the room Edward built had a number of windows and a door of near-normal size. Neither the door nor the windows were locked - - they weren’t barricaded. So you’re getting the picture by now: In order to experience his freedom again Raynald needed to loose weight. But his brother Edward was no dummy, because he knew just how to keep Raynald imprisoned. Every day he would send Raynald an assortment of tasty foods. And what took place is just sad: Instead of dieting his way to freedom, Raynald grew more overweight and he stayed in that room for ten years until his brother died. But by that time his health was so awful that he kicked the bucket within a year. We can say that Raynald III was a prisoner of his own appetite for food.
So many people today are prisoners to their appetite for lust. Like good ole’ Raynald they may appear to be free, maybe even on cloud nine. They know what they like and they know how to get it. They are doing what feels good to them. But the fact is that every bite they take into the tastiness of lust only makes them more of a prisoner. When you and I indulge in a life of sin and do whatever feels good, we are anything but free. We are, according to God’s Word, slaves to sin.
INTRODUCTION
This is a charge to young people. Any young person who fails to heed this charge is doomed to a barren and empty life and to a lost eternity.
OPENING THE TEXT
The first charge is to flee youthful lusts. The Greek word "lusts" (in the Greek) means passionate desires and cravings. It can mean either good or bad desires, and its meaning is always to be determined by the context (Wuest). The point is this: passionate desire and craving is normal and natural. God made us to desire and crave. It is when we use our passions to hurt and damage that they become evil.
What are the lusts of youth? The desires of the eye: youth desire to have and possess. To have and possess are normal desires, but the normal desire can lead to the lust for possessions and people. The desires of the flesh: youth desire the companionship of the opposite sex. Attraction is normal and leads to marriage and the carrying on of the human race. However, the normal desire can lead to illicit sex and immorality. The desire for acceptance: youth want friends. They want to fit in with their peers. They want approval, and they want to be recognized. This is normal, but it can lead to compromise—the compromise of one’s values and morality and of the truth. It can also lead to rebellion against authority. The desire to achieve: youth desire to be successful, to find their place in the world. However, this can lead to seeking authority and power over people and to the manipulation and using of people for one’s own ends. The desire for recognition: youth desire to be the top gun, the star, the best looking, the smartest, the most popular. They constantly picture themselves as winning the game in the last second; winning the beauty pageant; winning the contest; being the one most recognized, and a host of other daydreams. This can lead to either pride and arrogance or to a sense of inferiority and low self-image. It can lead either to the hurting of the less gifted or to the downing of oneself. The desire to act and to act now: youth, bursting with energy and idealism, want to see things done now. This can lead to impatience and to the mistreatment of people: bypassing and disregarding the peace and security of other people. The desire to be original and creative: youth want to have the new and fresh idea, the better thought, and the better way for doing things. This can lead to a critical and argumentative spirit. It can also lead to cheating in order to be recognized. It can lead to the restating and rewording of things and ideas and claiming that they are creative ideas.
The charge to youth is direct and forceful: flee youthful lusts.
SCRIPTURES TO PONDER
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetoutness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints....For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Ephes. 5:3, 5).
"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Tim. 6:7-10).
"For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy" (2 Tim. 3:2).
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell" (Matthew 5:27-28).
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:15-16).
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence [lustful passion], even as the Gentiles which know not God" (1 Thes. 4:3-5).
"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Tim. 2:22).
"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:14-15).
"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11).
The second charge is to follow after the Lord. But note a significant point: join with other believers in following after Him. As a youth, you need the companionship and fellowship, the experience and maturity, the direction and guidance of others. Other believers can help you; therefore, join with them and follow after the Lord. However, make sure they are genuine believers—that they "call on the Lord out of a pure heart." Only the pure in heart—only the genuine seeker—is really following after the Lord. It is the genuine believer with whom we are to fellowship and walk through life.
In verse 23 we are directed to avoid foolish discussions and speculations, and avoid senseless controversy. There are two things that need to be said and heeded about this verse. Far too much time is wasted on foolish discussions and speculations, especially among ministers and teachers and those who are preparing for the ministry. Too many ignore the Word of God for the speculations of theology, neglect the study of God’s Word for a discussion of theory, reject God’s Word for the ideas of men, and take the easier road of theological discussion over the more difficult road of studying God’s Word.
Too many sit around reading and discussing the speculations of theology instead of focusing upon God’s Word and the mission of reaching and growing people for Christ. Too many substitute discussion for deeds. Discussion and speculation may be stimulating and invigorating to the mind, but it does not get the job done. Just think of the time we waste in the speculations of the latest religious craze instead of ministering to the lost and needy of the world.
Far too much time is wasted on senseless controversy, especially among members of churches. Think of the things that church members sometimes argue and get upset over—things that matter so little. Think about this: controversy and differences in the church are seldom over the great issues and doctrines of God’s Word. They are usually over buidlings, facilities, position, likes, dislikes, opinions, preferences, personalities and traits.
The list could go on and on, but the point is well made. Too many within the church are embroiled in senseless controversy and hurt feelings while multitudes within every community are dying from loneliness, emptiness, neglect, abuse, rejection, disease, hunger, and sin. The charge is direct and forceful: avoid foolish discussion and speculation, and avoid senseless controversy.
SCRIPTURES TO PONDER
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Phil. 2:3).
"Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do" (1 Tim. 1:4).
"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself" (1 Tim. 6:3-5).
"Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers" (2 Tim. 2:14).
"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient" (2 Tim. 2:23-24).
"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself" (Titus 3:9-11).
The fourth charge is to not argue or fight with others. This charge is to "the servant of the Lord"—the person who really wishes to serve the Lord. We cannot argue and fight and at the same time serve the Lord. A person who argues and fights is not serving the Lord, no matter what he may claim. The charge is clear: "the servant of the Lord must not strive."
He must be apt to teach: prepared and ready, able and capable, skillful and qualified to teach. Remember: he cannot teach the truth unless he knows the truth; he cannot settle disputes and help those who oppose him unless he knows what God says about handling problems, and unless he walks in the Lord day by day.
CONCLUSION
The Lord’s servant must be patient. He must correct others in a spirit of meekness. Within the church there are those who often oppose the minister and the ministries and actions of the church. How are opponents to be approached? Not in a spirit of reaction and meanness; not in a spirit that criticizes, reproaches, whips, and berates. We must approach opponents in a spirit of meekness.
There are two reasons for this: A meek approach is the only approach that can lead a person to repentance. Arguing and fighting with them will only drive them further away from us and the church. In fact, if we argue with them, we are guilty of the same wrong that they have committed, and we give them reason to cry "hypocrite."
A meek approach is the only approach that can free a person from the snare of the devil. People who are controversial and argumentative, critical and gossiping may not like to think that they are ensnared by the devil, but Scripture clearly says they are. Note the verse—argumentative and quarrelsome persons are said to be caught in the snare of the devil. Such persons are even said to be taken by the devil at the devil’s will.
What is the hope for the argumentative and criticizing person? His only hope is for the minister and believers to approach him in a spirit of meekness—to reach out to him, attempting to lead him to repentance.
FINAL SCRIPTURES TO PONDER
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:1-2).
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephes. 4:11-13).
"Let nothing be done throuth strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Phil. 2:3).
"Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers" (2 Tim. 2:14).
"I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners" (Isaiah 57:18).
"Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the lord our God" (Jeremiah 3:22).
"For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after" (Jeremiah 30:17).
"I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him" (Hosea 14:4).
"He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19).
MARANATHA / JD
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