Flee and follow. These are the two words that I want us to reflect upon at this time. Both we must do. Let us understand the context for these words and what these words entail.
Clearly, these words involve action. When we think of “fleeing,” we think of getting away. When we think of following, we think of just the exact opposite. We think of proceeding after or going in the direction of someone or something. In II Timothy 2:22, the Holy Spirit speaking through Paul gives these instructions to Timothy and these instructions are important for every young person as well as every Christian. God tells us here, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Flee youthful lusts. In the time of youth, the Devil seems to work extra to try to cause people to lust. In any age, lusts must be conquered. It is within marriage that a man and a woman can Scripturally sleep with each other. Remember that in Hebrews 13:4, we are told, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” This act that occurs between husband and wife, which has been given by God unto husbands and wives as gifts, can only be “opened” as a gift within the confines of a Scriptural marriage. Scriptural marriage is defined as a marriage between a man and a woman who have never been married before, those who have Scripturally divorced spouses for fornication though not being guilty of the fornication themselves, and those whose spouses have passed away who marry in the Lord (Matthew 19:4-9, I Corinthians 7:39). God unites the man and woman in holy matrimony and within this bond fornication may occur, though this is not pleasing to God. Now, lust and fornication are not the same things, however, lust always precedes fornication and both are sin. In Matthew 5:28, Jesus says, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Lust must be fled from then.
Follow after righteousness. It is important that in the early days, the youth remember the Creator (Ecclesiastes 12:1). In order to abstain from youthful lusts, certain things must be cultivated. One is righteousness. We are to follow after right living as defined by the Holy Scriptures (II Timothy 3:16-17).
Follow after faith. Romans 10:17 teaches us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by God’s Word. We are called to have faith and an obedient faith (James 2:17-26). We must be faithful to death (Revelation 2:10).
Follow after love. Putting others before ourselves, this is love. God is love (I John 4:8). Romans 12:10 says that we are to prefer others before ourselves.
Follow after peace. When we are working as peacemakers, we are blessed (Matthew 5:9). When we are living the Truth in our lives, we are free from sin and guilt (John 17:17, Philippians 4:17, John 8:32, I John 1:7).
Following with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. When we call upon God, we invoke His help. Christ has all authority, and He has bought His people with His own blood. We then are to worship Him with the right attitude and according to His Truth (John 4:24). We must have good hearts and be sincere in all that we do.
My friends, if we will flee and follow, we will do well. If we will flee and follow, we will have the best life here (John 10:10) and the best life in eternity. Let us flee and follow!
Jason Gann
Registrar
Tennessee Bible College