Flee! ... But Also Pursue!

2 Timothy 2:22

"Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

Our job is not done if we have only fled from temptations. Pursuing is just as important as fleeing. I have found that fleeing from lusts without pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace usually ends in failure. Though the man might flee, his heart still desires his lusts. Such a man will always, no matter how far or how strongly he flees, turn back to his lusts. That is why Paul writes to Timothy, "pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace". Only when our hearts have set our sights on something more valuable and worthy can we truly "flee" from our lusts. I am thankful that we are not called to fight this battle ourselves.