“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness,faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22)
TEXT — 2 Timothy 2:19-22
Tales by Moonlight was a popular educational medium in Africa of old. After a hard day’s work, adults would gather the children together by moonlight, around a village fire and tell stories meant to impart morals and prepare young people for life. A story featured a young girl who moved with her parents and siblings from their rural farming settlement to an urbanised homestead. Life in the new place was exciting, and totally different from previous cooperative living. Nearby neighbours lived carefree and enjoyed luxury without any care in the world. However, the prince of the new homestead took special interest in the young lady and would do anything to have her. Against parental upbringing and strict warnings, the young girl decided to check things out for herself. It was the opportunity the prince was waiting for. He lured her away into the palace in the guise of showing her around. After defiling her, he kept her captive, hoping to make her part of his harem.
If the story sounds familiar to you, then it is, because this has become familiar scenario enacted in neighbourhoods worldwide. Unlike olden days, it is no longer strange to find young people killing and maiming partners or even family members in their pursuit of carnal wealth and fame. Quest for destructive wages is what propels demonic organ harvesters, who injure or kill their gullible friends that stray into their trap. Youthful lust and greed for money were and still are Satan’s tools for destroying young people today. This was Dinah’s dilemma (Genesis 34) and still is many young people’s demon today.
Apostle Paul warned believers to flee “youthful lusts.” These are strong desires characteristic of young, ungodly minds but very dangerous to spiritual growth. Attractive carnal preferences capable of stalling progress must never be named among people that “nameth the name of Christ.” Paul encouraged believers to depart from rampant societal iniquity that holds the world spellbound today. He offered a preferred bridge across the troubled waters of youthful sin. It is the cleansing stream of godliness through God-ordained, three-pronged approach of faith, charity, and peace. This is what promotes and nurtures acceptable righteousness. When anyone opens the door to salvation and redemption in Christ, the possibility of a new life is enhanced. While fleeing from societal ills, Paul harped on the necessity of following righteousness. It is not enough to flee evil. Following after righteousness will prevent a relapse into the dangerous territories of lust, greed and damnation.
Thought for the day
While fleeing evil, leave no forwarding address behind.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
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