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Wednesday, May 6,
2009
Fleeing Youthful Lusts
1 Timothy 6:9-11 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. (10) 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. (11)
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (KJV)
When you were a child your mind would
wander in an imaginary realm where you were the center of attention, and
that all your problems would be solved once you got everything you wanted.
Well for many of us as Christians, this mindset continued even when we were
adults; basically thinking something carnal would provide an answer to a
spiritual need. Paul not only identifies the root cause of all evil, but
then he points the people in the direction of where the real answer is,
that being in the realm of the Spirit.
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts:
but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the
Lord out of a pure heart. (KJV)
Those who grow and mature in the Lord are
those that get weaned off the milk of the Word and into the meat of it,
something with substance that not only feeds the spirit man but makes it
strong in the Lord and the power of His might. We should be fleeing these
youthful, childish lusts, and follow a new pattern of life which will bring
about a new creation in us that seeks more to please our Father and less
effort trying to please self. In order to have a pure heart one will need living
waters to cleanse it out and keep it clean, free from the infections of
worldly doctrines which think gain is godliness. Just like with a plague,
or any other infectious disease, one should be fleeing from these things
rather than embracing them and then wonder how they ended up on their
backside.
1 Corinthians 13:11-13 When I was a
child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:
but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (12) For now we see
through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but
then shall I know even as also I am known. (13) And now abideth faith,
hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (KJV)
The only way that you can move on to
maturity, growing up in the things of the Lord, is by fleeing and
withdrawing from youthful lusts, things that appeal to self. In order to
truly be new creation in Christ, old things need to be passed away and stay
that way, so that a new creation can grow up and manifest in your walk.
What things are you in pursuit of today; what is your mindset; are you
truly, actively seeking the things of verse 13, or do you still think
something in this life will bring peace and joy?
1Thessalonians 2:4-6 But as we were
allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as
pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (5) For neither at any time
used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is
witness: (6) Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others,
when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. (KJV)
Ever see these guys that stand in the
pulpits with their big long flowing robes? Well for many of these it takes
a big robe to cover up and mask the true intentions of their heart, or so
they think. For one to be truly used of our Lord and allowed to speak in
His behalf, they will find that trying to please man and God at the same
time just doesn’t mix. When you try to please man and God at the same time,
like mixing and matching carnal things and desires into the spiritual
realm, in the end it just leaves many mixed up and confused. Once again we
see the word ‘covetousness’ being used, those that have sold out and have never
gotten past these youthful harmful lusts which are drowning many in
destruction and perdition.
James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore
to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw nigh to God,
and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify
your hearts, ye double minded. (KJV)
Do you desire to flee from idolatry; flee
these youthful lusts and desires that have drawn you away from God instead
of closer? Then why not send the source of these imaginations fleeing; then
the cleansing and healing will take place so that you are not being double
minded; trying to mix and match the things of this life with your eternal
one.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Now ye are the
body of Christ, and members in particular. (28) And God hath set some in
the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after
that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of
tongues. (29) Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all
workers of miracles? (30) Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with
tongues? do all interpret? (31) But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet
shew I unto you a more excellent way. (KJV)
Hey, if you are looking for something to
covet after and pursue, how about things that pertain more to your
spiritual life and less on this temporal carnal one. Do you know your place
in the body of Christ and where He is calling you? Do you have an
understanding of the gift of the Spirit and how it works in your life?
Matthew 19:21-23 Jesus said unto him, If
thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (22) But when
the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great
possessions. (23) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto
you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. (KJV)
You know, our Lord was quite specific to
point out to a certain young rich man what it would take to be perfect or
mature, and grow up in the realm of the Spirit. As we see in the example
above, just like what Paul wrote concerning the root cause of the issue, the
one root that would have to be pulled out and discarded if one truly
desired to walk with our Lord, was the love of money. You have a choice
today of which riches you are going to pursue; will it be the dead end
riches of this life, or will you truly grow up and become rich in faith?
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