FLEEING YOUTHFUL LUSTS
By W. G. Guy
The apostle Paul wrote to his young disciple Timothy admonishing him in his continuing work of the ministry. Of the issues brought up was to keep his focus on the Lord and righteousness, including:
2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee youthful lusts:
What are “youthful lusts”? These are the desires of the heart that drive a young person to pursue the things of this world that tantalize his or her eyes. This normally refers to worldly lusts for the things of this world; most of which lead to sin and destructive behaviors, both physically, emotionally and spiritually. This is because Satan uses the lust for the things of this world to distract us from what God desires of us, and has provided for us.
1 John 2:15-16 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Such lustful desires usually lead to sin.
James 1:13-15 – Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Why is this? Because the three areas of human vulnerability are, (1) the lust of the flesh; (2) the lust of the eyes; (3) the pride of life. All three focus on the big “I”, the self.
Dealing with youthful lusts is a fact of nature that we all have to deal with. In youth our hormones are raging with desire for sensual engagement with the opposite sex. At the same time our eyes are attracted to items in this world that we desire to possess. All such desires, or lusts, are for the purpose of “self-gratification”, which we go through great effort to justify acquiring.
Fortunately, time passes and, generally, many of us mature and grow out of this stage of youthful lusts. However, this seems to apply mostly to those whose lives have been changed by having a new source of life within – being born-again through Jesus Christ. This changes our desires, or at least it should.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
There is an old church hymn that speaks to this transition called “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, which includes the refrain: “And the things of earth will grow strangely dim; in the light of His glory and grace”.
However, even in a mature life, if the mind, or desires of the heart, are not changed, we will continue to seek after worldly things, but now with greater endeavor and resources to do so. I have personally experienced these youthful lusts, as I am sure you have also. There are things that I wanted so much that when I was constantly denied them that I became depressed. Depression is also a key tool of Satan that he tries to use to destroy us. This is only allowed to happen when your entire focus is on these carnal things, which is common with the youth. Fortunately, maturity, particularly spiritual maturity, helps us to grow out of this lustful and carnal state of self will and selfish desires.
Luke 9:23-26 – And he (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
I consider myself to now be mature, especially since, at my age, I am approaching my mid-eighties. Those desires that I had in my youth means nothing to me anymore. I have lived through all of that stuff and have determined that it is not as important to me as I thought in my youth. It no longer has my interest or attention. As I advance in time things change; and with Christ and His Word in me, it is all for the better. My desire is to walk with my Lord and serve Him, which means to serve others with His love. My time for worldly things has passed – THANK GOD!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh;a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones,and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What is now important as I near the conclusion of my days is that I know God and Christ personally, and live for Him in all honor and obedience.
2 Timothy 2:4 – No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Yes, the things of this world are distractions from the kingdom and will of God. This is the lesson that we, who are elders, need to teach our young people, show them what is truly important in life. This is because the distractions in and of this world can be eternally destructive.
Matthew 13:22 – He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Luke 21:34 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Let God take care of your cares in this life, because He cares about you!
1 Peter 5:7 – casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
As pertaining to what we physically and personally need while in this world, God has promised to provide as long as we seek and trust in Him to do so. This we have no need to worry or seek such provision because He has got this all covered.
Romans 8:31-32 – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Philippians 4:19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Therefore there is no need to fear, worry, be anxious or caring about such things because worry opens the door for Satan to interfere with our peace and safety.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
As you put your trust in the LORD for the matters of your life He will provide, guard and protect you, as He leads you according to His plan and purpose doe your life.
Romans 8:28-29 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Here is the conclusion of the entire matter of our lives:
Eccelsiastes 12:13 – Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Therefore, do not let youthful lusts distract you from what really matters in life.
FLEEING YOUTHFUL LUSTS
By W. G. Guy
The apostle Paul wrote to his young disciple Timothy admonishing him in his continuing work of the ministry. Of the issues brought up was to keep his focus on the Lord and righteousness, including:
2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee youthful lusts:
What are “youthful lusts”? These are the desires of the heart that drive a young person to pursue the things of this world that tantalize his or her eyes. This normally refers to worldly lusts for the things of this world; most of which lead to sin and destructive behaviors, both physically, emotionally and spiritually. This is because Satan uses the lust for the things of this world to distract us from what God desires of us, and has provided for us.
1 John 2:15-16 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Such lustful desires usually lead to sin.
James 1:13-15 – Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Why is this? Because the three areas of human vulnerability are, (1) the lust of the flesh; (2) the lust of the eyes; (3) the pride of life. All three focus on the big “I”, the self.
Dealing with youthful lusts is a fact of nature that we all have to deal with. In youth our hormones are raging with desire for sensual engagement with the opposite sex. At the same time our eyes are attracted to items in this world that we desire to possess. All such desires, or lusts, are for the purpose of “self-gratification”, which we go through great effort to justify acquiring.
Fortunately, time passes and, generally, many of us mature and grow out of this stage of youthful lusts. However, this seems to apply mostly to those whose lives have been changed by having a new source of life within – being born-again through Jesus Christ. This changes our desires, or at least it should.
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
There is an old church hymn that speaks to this transition called “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, which includes the refrain: “And the things of earth will grow strangely dim; in the light of His glory and grace”.
However, even in a mature life, if the mind, or desires of the heart, are not changed, we will continue to seek after worldly things, but now with greater endeavor and resources to do so. I have personally experienced these youthful lusts, as I am sure you have also. There are things that I wanted so much that when I was constantly denied them that I became depressed. Depression is also a key tool of Satan that he tries to use to destroy us. This is only allowed to happen when your entire focus is on these carnal things, which is common with the youth. Fortunately, maturity, particularly spiritual maturity, helps us to grow out of this lustful and carnal state of self will and selfish desires.
Luke 9:23-26 – And he (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
I consider myself to now be mature, especially since, at my age, I am approaching my mid-eighties. Those desires that I had in my youth means nothing to me anymore. I have lived through all of that stuff and have determined that it is not as important to me as I thought in my youth. It no longer has my interest or attention. As I advance in time things change; and with Christ and His Word in me, it is all for the better. My desire is to walk with my Lord and serve Him, which means to serve others with His love. My time for worldly things has passed – THANK GOD!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 – To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh;a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones,and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;6 a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What is now important as I near the conclusion of my days is that I know God and Christ personally, and live for Him in all honor and obedience.
2 Timothy 2:4 – No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Yes, the things of this world are distractions from the kingdom and will of God. This is the lesson that we, who are elders, need to teach our young people, show them what is truly important in life. This is because the distractions in and of this world can be eternally destructive.
Matthew 13:22 – He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
Luke 21:34 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Let God take care of your cares in this life, because He cares about you!
1 Peter 5:7 – casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
As pertaining to what we physically and personally need while in this world, God has promised to provide as long as we seek and trust in Him to do so. This we have no need to worry or seek such provision because He has got this all covered.
Romans 8:31-32 – What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Philippians 4:19 – But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Therefore there is no need to fear, worry, be anxious or caring about such things because worry opens the door for Satan to interfere with our peace and safety.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
As you put your trust in the LORD for the matters of your life He will provide, guard and protect you, as He leads you according to His plan and purpose doe your life.
Romans 8:28-29 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Here is the conclusion of the entire matter of our lives:
Eccelsiastes 12:13 – Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Therefore, do not let youthful lusts distract you from what really matters in life.
