2 Timothy 2:22, ‘Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.’
Many today make excuses for their behaviour by blaming their actions on their weakness. They say, ‘My weakness is just too much – I cannot help myself!’ The acknowledgement or the identification of our weakness should be a reason for our watchfulness, not an excuse for sin. Your weakness is a reason to flee from sin, not an excuse to flirt with sin. If you flirt with sin, it’s just a matter of time before you fall into it. You will eventually succumb to what you set your heart on because the journey from your heart to your hands is shorter than you realise.
Joseph was faced with temptation in Genesis 39 when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. When the heat of Joseph’s temptation intensified, he fled the scene because he truly recognised the weakness of his flesh. He fled from sin – he didn’t fall into it. The temptation you overcome is the one you avoid but when you flirt with sin, it is a matter of time before you fall into it.
Our identification of a weakness should cause us to acknowledge our need for God and drive us to cultivate an attitude of watchfulness and carefulness as we journey through this wicked world. So what are we fleeing from and what are we pursuing? What are we inviting and what are we avoiding? Let these questions prompt you to set your heart on fleeing from sin and following our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.