CONCERT OF PRAYER
Pray Week 663

“Flee”

Prov 28:1 (ESV) The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
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It is in our nature to value and admire boldness. Indeed even the Scriptures portray the wicked as a fearful type, fleeing from shadows and non-existent danger. In contrast the Scriptures portray the righteous as being bold as a lion. However, there is a proper time to flee and it is the righteous thing to do as commanded by the Word of God.

2 Tim 2:22 (ESV) So flee youthful passions…

In leading up to this command, Paul has been addressing problems with people caught up in arguments about words and irreverent babble that are having an adverse effect on the church body of believers. Embedded at the root of this behavior are the ‘youthful passions’ of stubbornness, disrespect for elders, wanting to be right and desiring acceptance by peers. Paul knows Timothy’s heart and is exhorting him to flee these passions. These foolish behaviors characterized as youthful passions are not limited to the young among us. They affect people of all ages and it is good for us to heed this command to flee these divisive temptations.

1 Tim 6:6 (ESV) … those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils … But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.

Like a marionette controlled by a puppeteer are people controlled by their love of money. Good people behave badly in situations where their love of money becomes the driving force. Padded expense reports, false declarations on tax returns, questionable insurance claims, empty promises, withheld wages due to employees and the stretching of truth to make a sale, are all examples of behaviors controlled by the love of money. These behaviors have no place in the life of a believer professing to follow Jesus Christ. The temptation is real and ever present in today’s society and it is not to be regarded flippantly. We are commanded to flee.

1 Cor 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

An idol is something that has come in between us and God. It is where, what, or to whom we go first before prayer to Our Father. In pridefulness we may rely upon our education, skills, and capabilities before turning to God. We want the glory for the accomplishment for ourselves. We may turn to our ‘drug of choice’ when under stress. It may be alcohol, tobacco or something illegal that we use to seek a false sense of peace rather than seeking His peace. Just as it was with the love of money, our heart cannot be divided in its affections. We must flee from idolatry.

1 Cor 6:18 (ESV) Flee from sexual immorality.

Sex appeal is used to market everything from burgers to automobiles. It is a powerful tool because of its universal appeal to the flesh and lust of our human nature. The temptation to sexual immorality is all around us – we are immersed in it in this world. It is something that we must be constantly on guard against and diligent about fleeing from. We cannot toy with it without getting burned by it. Like Joseph fleeing from Potiphar’s wife we need to flee from the contexts and situations that tempt us to sexual immorality.

There is a time for the righteous to stand firm – and there are times for the righteous to flee as outlined above. Don’t walk away. Don’t linger or loiter in the temptation. Flee! Run away!

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God