Christians: What is your understanding of 2 Timothy 2:22 ?

Question

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%202:22&version=49

Answer 1

For most of us, there are ungodly things which we do when we are young and ignorant of the way in which God would have us to live. Some of these behaviors are more destructive than others, but that doesn't make them any less sinful.
We may have said, "Oh, I just wanted to have some fun." But, if the "fun" is not in line with God's will for our lives, it is a "youthful lust", or a desire which may eventually be destructive to our lives, if it goes unchecked.

And, it is sad to say that even some adults, who should know better, continue on in those kinds of behaviors. I've even heard an elderly lady, who was ill with emphysema, say that she just had to do something naughty. She knew what she was doing and eventually, it led to her death. How sad for her and for her family.

The point is, the Scripture in Timothy is instructing us to cease those kinds of behaviors and to have an attitude about them that would suggest running as far away from them as fast as we can.
Then we are encouraged strongly to pursue, or chase after, that which is righteous or good for right living, that which conforms to the will of God in our thoughts, words, and actions.

We are also encouraged to pursue, or chase after,
faith, love and peace with other believers. This must include harmony in fellowship, and although it is not always easy to achieve, the verse ends with an instruction to do so "out of a pure heart". This means we all must keep our hearts before the Lord for His inspection and correction so that we will behave ourselves as God would have us to behave when we relate to one another.

I believe that our behavior with other believers should help us in our behavior with non-believers, so that they would want to know the God in whom we believe.

Answer 2

Songbird did an excellent job of covering the meaning and I enjoyed reading that very much.

I think one thing we all need to do is examine ourselves every day and every act or thing we say or do to make sure we are following God's word so we don't go astray. It is important that we choose our friends wisely so we aren't tempted to step over the line and fall into the snares the devil has set for us. If you hang around the wrong people long enough, you will start accepting things that are wrong and will make excuses as to why they are ok.

There are many things we lust after, not only sexual gratification but how many people lust after a new car or more clothes or more shoes or handbags? People who work more and more and forsake the assembling of the Saints so they can buy things they don't need but think they have to have so they can keep up with others (rather than learn to live with basics and be happy). Our greed pulls us away from the purity God wants us to have. Society has become so materialistic that we are more concerned with how we look on the outside than we are on the inside where God says our true treasures lie.

It doesn't do any good to call on God when our hearts are not pure and we are pursuing worldly things all the time. The time to train ourselves up is when we are young so we develop good habits.

Answer 3

Your responders, songbird, kittykat & warrior already gave terrifc answers! I know when I was younger it was MUCH easier to be caught up in the "world" and it's ways. But as you get older & your body is not as "responsive" to do the youthful things, you tend to get a little more introspectively thoughtful of the reasons for being. (But then NOT all folks do, no matter how old they get**sigh**) If you keep your mind focused on God, and stay in His Word daily, those "evil" thoughts will soon be non-existant! Being that as we get older we cannot "run" away (flee) quite as rapidly...so it is better by far to "STAND" & let the battle be the Lord's...lol

Answer 4

Be like a soldier on a mission.
Stay focused on the objective.
Don't stray to the left or the right.
Arm yourself with the whole armor of God, avoid worthless talk,bring yourself Into the perfect will of God. Ask God to give you a clean heart and pure hands. Be a willing vessel and yeilding yourself unto Him completely.We're In a battle and to be effective you must guard your heart.Be lead by the Holy Spirit.

Answer 5

Not walk away from but FLEE. Such a strong word our brother Paul spoke to young Timothy. FLEE and PURSUE. At the time of the writing of this epistle there was so much outward corruption taking place and degradation in the churches that Paul urged Timothy to be wary not only of outward corruption but also also to be wary of the inward lusts within himself.

Paul urged Timothy to pursue four things here. Righteousness toward himself, Faith toward God and Love toward others.. the Issue of these three virtues is Peace.

Calling upon the Name of the Lord is not just upon our salvation. We continue to call upon the Name of Jesus through our growth and transformation in the Christian life. This calling was one of the ways Saul of Tarsus was able to identify the believers in Christ. They would be calling upon the Lord's name. We call and get the Person of that name...

vs 19 says
However the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those who are His and Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.


This calling is out of a pure heart. This heart is pure and single, without mixture. Its a heart that seeks only the Lord and takes the Lord as the unique Goal.

1 Timothy 1:5
But the end of the charge is Love out of a pure heart and out of a good conscience and out of unfeigned faith.

May we be " with those" who love the Lord. Those that cherish His very Person and enjoy loving Him. Especially to the younger ones among us in this forum.. its so easy to be caught up. But the Lord in us is able to overcome all kinds of lusts and give us the way to pursue Him, not just by ourselves but with others. Praise the Lord brother that we are in the Body of Christ and can have such a way to go on each day.

Great Q
ur sis
sandy

Answer 6

2Ti 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.
Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness--faith, love, peace--and hang with like minded people who call on the name of Jesus from a heart from which motives are right and priorities are in order.

Answer 7

Running away is sometimes considered cowardly. But wise people realize that removing themselves physically from temptation often can be the most courageous action to take. Timothy, a young man, was warned to run from anything that produced evil thoughts. We are to remove ourselves from any situation that stimulates the desire to sin. Knowing when to run is as important in spiritual battle as knowing when and how to fight. (See also 1 Tim 6:11).

Answer 8

2 Timothy 2:22

Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts that young men often have, but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love, and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts.

Answer 9

2 Tim 2:

19) "Nevertheless the foundation of God STANDETH SURE, having this seal, THE LORD KNOWETH THEM THAT ARE HIS. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ DEPART FROM INIQUITY.

20) "But in A GREAT HOUSE there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, AND SOME TO DISHONOUR".

21) "If a man therefore purge himself from these, HE SHALL BE A VESSEL UNTO HONOUR..."

22) "Flee also YOUTHFUL lusts::: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart".

I think this is speaking of the growth, from being a babe in Christ, unto a man of God, who is thoroughly furnished unto every good work. Hebrews 5:13, "For every one that useth milk is UNSKILFUL IN THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: FOR HE IS A BABE".

"In a great house", God's family, there are both skilled and unskilled vessels. It takes "spiritual exercise" to become skilled in the word, and this can take many years.

Answer 10

Speaking of repentence-- to turn away from-- and we are to turn away from sin!
When we are saved, we no longer desire to live the old life in sin-- we are made a new creation through Christ Jesus! We must mature spiritually in Him as we study His word and pray.
Following Him- and not the world.