So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. – 2 Timothy 2:22
Most serious Christians will say they want God to be able to use them in some way, great or small, for His glory. Joseph proved to be a person that God could use, though his path was not one he would have charted for himself. He was the son of Jacob and Rachel, with eleven siblings, one of whom, Benjamin, was a full brother to him. He was much loved by his parents, not so much by his half-brothers. At age 17, partly because of the dreams he had shared with the entire family, his half-brothers acted on their jealousy and sold Joseph to a band of Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt, selling him as a slave to the house of a high official. Genesis 39:2 states, “The Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man.”
Even in his success, there were those who opposed him. Potiphar’s wife sought to tempt him sexually, but he was motivated by his love for the Lord and said (verse 9), “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” The response of Joseph is a good example of “fleeing youthful passions” called out in today’s verse. As with many temptations, they begin in the mind and then move toward activity. Joseph desired to live the life that God had intended for him… a life of righteousness, faith, love, and peace. He sought to do this by keeping his heart pure toward the Lord, toward his employer, his employer’s family, and even the country of Egypt.
The battle for who will have dominion over your life continues. The verse that follows today’s states, “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies.” Also, avoid things that interfere with your relationship with the Lord. God’s intention for you is to actively seek after righteous living. As you pursue righteousness, He gives you the power to be an overcomer. Pastor Steven Cole writes, “God’s Word is not vague about how you should live. It doesn’t offer helpful hints for happy living. … It gives us the commandments of God, which are for or good.” Continually submit yourself to the authority of His Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and you will be amazed at how God will use you!
Today’s Verse: 2 Timothy 2:22
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Timothy 2:20-26
20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
