Flee Also Youthful Lusts

The Battle

Paul names both fleeing and following together here, worth examining directly, flee youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, worth holding as this movement’s own comprehensive instruction, not merely negative avoidance alone, but this described, positive pursuit, both movements genuinely, actually required together.

Notice with them that call on the Lord, worth holding as this verse’s own additional, communal instruction, this pursuit not undertaken entirely alone, but alongside others, worth examining whether your own fleeing and following have included this described, genuine communal dimension, or remained isolated.

This is worth applying practically today, considering both movements this verse names directly, fleeing one specific temptation while simultaneously, actively following one specific, positive pursuit, worth practicing this fuller, combined instruction rather than either movement attempted alone, in isolation.

Consider today both fleeing and following together, one specific temptation actually fled, and one specific, positive pursuit, righteousness, faith, charity, peace, actually followed, alongside genuine community, trusting this verse’s own fuller, combined instruction as this movement’s own actual, practiced pattern.