Get Ready To Run

How many of you like to run? Running is very good for your body, it keeps your blood circulating, it keeps you in shape, and you’ll see people out running at the park, in your neighborhood, and certainly at the gym. Some people love running so much that they’ll join a marathon, which is more than 26 miles! You have to make sure you’re in good shape to do that much running.

But this is not the kind of running that II Timothy 2:22 is talking about. This is not running for fun, this is running for your life. If you were hiking in the mountains and you came upon a grizzly bear, you wouldn’t do a nice jog to get away from him, you would run for your life! And there are times in your Christian life when you will need to run for your life. If you stay, you will be damaged, derailed, or devoured.

But running is not the only thing we see in this verse. As we analyze this verse, we’re going to use Joseph as our prime example. I think Joseph best realizes these truths in his own life, and I hope you will make them real in your life as well.

In this verse we see three specific truths to strengthen your walk with God.

1. Flee that which is Polluted

“Flee also youthful lusts…”

We never use the word “flee” today, but we know what it means. It means to run, specifically running from danger. This is not a fun run, it’s a forced run. And what are you running from? Youthful lusts. The devil specifically targets young people, and he’s got a lot in his arsenal. Youthful lusts can include temptations that involve sexual allurement, pride, greed, knowledge, carnal pleasures, worldly attainments, and the list goes on. These are strong desires that especially tempt young people. Why young people? It’s simple: if the devil can get you hooked while you’re young, he can ruin your whole life.

When it comes to temptation, there are two ways to combat it. You can either resist the temptation or run from it. Small temptations can often be resisted, but when a strong temptation comes along, you may have no choice but to run.

In Genesis 39, there can be no doubt that Potiphar’s wife was a temptation for Joseph. She must have been a very beautiful woman. She was a seductress, and she wanted Joseph for herself. Joseph resisted her at first, saying, “Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:8-9).

Joseph is on full alert, ready to resist. “And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her” (Gen. 39:10).

But the day came when resisting was not enough. The devil does not give up easily. Often he will double his efforts on the Christian who chooses to resist. Potiphar’s wife becomes belligerent with Joseph, grabbing his coat and demanding that he do what she wants. In that moment, Joseph did the manliest thing he could do: he ran for his life! Yes, he ran from a woman. The world will tell you that it’s cowardly to run, but don’t you believe it. Those who turn tail and run from temptation are the ones with integrity. It takes character to flee.

Another example (although a bad one) is the young man in Proverbs 7.

James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Yes, resisting will make the devil run, but he’ll be back. Temptation will always come back, many times much stronger than before. This is why you must be ready to flee. Flee from idolatry (I Cor. 10:14). Flee fornication (I Cor. 6:18). Flee from the wrath to come (Matt. 3:7). And Joseph would tell you, flee youthful lusts.

2. Follow that which is Pure

“…but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace…”

When you flee from something, it’s best to run to a place of safety. Proverbs 18:10 tells us, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous running into it, and is safe.”

The word “follow” here actually means “to pursue.” There’s a difference between following something and pursuing something. Ex: sheep follows, lion pursues.

It’s true that we, as sheep, are following our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ. But we should also be pursuing some things when it comes to our walk with Christ. This verse gives us four pursuits.