As we know Paul, he doesn’t just dish out a list of instructions; he also gives some guidelines about how we should carry out those instructions. He says we must clean that bowl so that God can use us. This is his first suggestion: ²²Run away from infantile indulgence.

Why does the grass on the other side of the fence always seem greener? Why do we lick our lips when we peek over the wall? I wish I had the answer. Maybe it’s the net effect of sin, but what is sure is that none of us are exempt from wanting.

We all have this weak spot in our amour and we need to admit it. We shouldn’t try and hide it and pretend to be above it all. All of us peek over that wall now and then. And some of us climb over and do what we want to do, just to wake up filled with shame and guilt the next morning.

I suspect it’s the devil who regularly puts this obstacle in our way. He knows where the weak spots in our armour are. He knows where we go the wrong way. He knows what we peek at and what we’re lusting after. The King James Version puts it like this: Flee also youthful lusts. That lust that makes us want things.

Temptation. It overwhelms you. It loosens your handbrake. It takes away your judgement. It’s as if someone else takes over the steering, and you’re simply looking on. And before you know it, you’re on the other side of the fence. Messed up and dirty with no idea how you got there. All that lies before you are the consequences.

I know you don’t want to hear about this, and talk about it even less. But it doesn’t help to stick our heads in the sand. It doesn’t help pretending it doesn’t exist. As my wife always says: Things buried alive, stay alive.

It’s a fact, every day we’re confronted with a desire to do wrong. We have to face it. We have to stand against it. But even more, like the verse says, we have to run from it. Let go immediately and run as fast as you can in the other direction. And no, don’t first wait and see what will happen. It will suck you in and before you know it, you’ll end up being spat out on the other side.

Just look at one little picture that’s not too naked. Just borrow a few Rand, will give it back. Just one more …

We have to run away from temptation.

May God with his Spirit help us to do it this time and the next time and the next …

Scripture
2 Tim 2:21-22

Reflection
What do you lust for?
What do you need to do about it?
Listen to Paul’s advice!

Prayer
Father, here I am. Help me to obey the advice Paul gives me today. Amen.