Part VII

RELIGIOUS LUSTS

Paul tells Timothy to, "Flee also youthful lusts" (2:22a). But what exactly was Paul calling Timothy to do, according to the context? From what was he to flee? Youthful lusts! What usually comes to mind when we think of this? Sexual lust often comes to mind – fornication, the raging hormones of a "teenager." But could this be lusts of another kind?

First we need to get a grip on this word "youthful" -- it must be remembered that Timothy, at the time of the writing of this epistle, had been a companion and fellow servant with Paul for about fifteen years. Now, granted Timothy was a young man when he set out with Paul, but after fifteen years, he would hardly have been a "teenager."

And are adultery and fornication, etc., the only "youthful" lusts? Or, can we find these sexual lusts in the context? In fact, what is in the context that surrounds this admonition? The context is RELIGION!

Therefore, Paul was telling Timothy to flee the youthful lusts of RELIGION! How many young men, especially family men, have set their hearts to "attempt great things for God?" And while ensnared in the busyness of "serving God" according to their own passionate imaginations (i.e., lusts), they have neglected their primary responsibilities of being husbands and fathers. Multitudes of young men have been carried away with the biographies and examples of "great men of God," and, wittingly or not, have likewise been pulled into the religious system by the powerful gravity of acceptability, honor, prestige and respectability. And undoubtedly many of them have done so with a sincerity, and love for the Lord. But the subtlety of the adversary has used these very passions to accomplish his own purposes.

Paul verifies that these "lusts" are RELIGIOUS lusts, because he uses the word two more times in this epistle. And they, just like this one, are firmly planted in the context of RELIGION. Let's let Paul define his own words:

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (3:5-7).

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned into fables" (4:3-5).

Notice that these lusts have to do with RELIGIOUS instruction – with "learning" and "teachers!" (We shall talk more about this later.)

NOT ALONE

Paul was not intending for Timothy to live his life in Christ in seclusion. He was to "Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart." Timothy was to share his life with others. But with whom? Those "that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart." But what was their hearts to be pure of? In the context, RELIGION!

Praise the Lord, when one comes out, to be and to stand as who he is in Christ – an outsider – he will usually find that others are already there. There they are – standing and living outside of the Babylonian religious system. And although there may not be many of them (but, remember that Paul's was a "not many" ministry anyway!), they can have sweet fellowship in Christ, and in Him alone! Even if this fellowship may have to be done by letter! That's how Paul and Timothy were enjoying Christ together!


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit Clyde's web site at http://www.pilkingtonandsons.com


Return to Index of Clyde Pilkington's Writings