Apply Within

Bob Davis: We don't have the time to get caught up in the foolish things that waste time. We've got to love the people. We've got to have the wisdom by the power of the Holy Spirit to recognize what is sincere, what is legitimate. But you have to understand that there are some things you just want to avoid because there is somebody who might listen to the gospel, and that's what we're here to do.

Guest (Male): Welcome to Apply Within, a verse-by-verse study of the word of God with Pastor Bob Davis of North Country Chapel. We invite you to join with us as we, by the power of God's Holy Spirit, apply his word within our own hearts as we study line upon line, precept upon precept, verse-by-verse through the Bible.

Our study of 2 Timothy chapter 2 continues in verse 22 as Paul warns Timothy to run away from foolish arguments and instead just teach the truth. Here's Pastor Bob.

Bob Davis: Let's go into verse 22. Flee also youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, and charity, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

So because this letter is written to Pastor Timothy and we know that Pastor Timothy is a young pastor, in the book of 1 Timothy, Paul says, "Don't let anyone despise you because you're young." Just because you're young doesn't mean you can't minister. And so I think that we do damage to the text here because we begin to assume something.

And I think many believe that this is only meant for the young when he says, "Flee also youthful lusts," figuring, of course, like I said, Pastor Timothy is a young pastor. So many people think Paul is just warning Timothy. "Look, you're young. You're going to be a little bit more dopey. You'll grow out of it." That's not what's being taught here. Surprise! That's not what is meant here.

This is written to Timothy, yes, but to me and to you, and it doesn't matter what our ages are. This is for every true believer. If you say, "I am a Christian," and you mean that from your heart, and I say, "I am a Christian," and from our hearts, we've surrendered ourselves to Jesus—we're not perfect, we've got a long way to go—but we've surrendered ourselves, then this is specifically spoken to you and me, no matter what age you feel or you are.

Flee youthful lusts. Those evil desires, youthful lusts. They remain with you long after you're no longer youthful, and you know that. You know it. Evil desires remain long after you've grown and you are not considered youth. This is not saying, "If you are young, flee those youthful lusts." This is saying no matter how old you are, young or old, flee youthful evil desires, lusts.

I don't know how to say it any more simple than that. So it's not just for a young pastor. It's for this old pastor. And it's not just for a young man. It's for that old man out there and it's for every one of us. Sometimes we honestly think this. Now we may not say it out loud, we think this: "Well, this really wouldn't be good for the young people, but I can handle it."

Don't tell me you don't think that. You do. You just don't necessarily put it in those words. Yeah. Oh yeah. We shouldn't bring the little ones to this to watch it, but we can watch it. True? Now you've gone from preaching to stepping on toes, right? Yeah. Oh yeah. That's us. We think that. "I can handle this," or, "This isn't something the young ones should really be a part of or see, but I can watch it. It won't affect me."

You really think that. You really think that, but you're wrong and I'm wrong and we're all wrong. We're encouraged in God's word to flee youthful lusts. To flee means to run away from, escape from. Another way, if you'd like, is to run for your life away from these things. Just run for all you're worth away from these things.

Well, what if I'm not young anymore? The lusts are still there. They're youthful lusts, but they hang on and they do well. They're thriving and getting along, and so we have to run from them still. When you think about this, you think about Joseph at 17 running away from Potiphar's wife. And he ran and she held onto his garment, and he ran out naked.

You think, "Go for it, Joseph! Old people don't have to worry about that." Yes, they do. Oh, yes, they do! Don't kid yourself. We flee from these things. We run for our very lives to save your life by escaping out of that danger or that lust or that temptation.

"I'm not in danger. I mean, it says it's rated R, but I'm over 17." Really? And so this isn't affecting your spirit at all? This doesn't go in and bounce around and lock in there somewhere? And some way, somehow, it's going to come out. It's got to come out because what's in there eventually has to come out.

So we should be running for our lives from this kind of stuff. But instead, yeah, "I wouldn't bring my seven-year-old to see this." Run for your very life. This thing is going to get in you and somehow try to eat away or destroy. It's evil. You should run and run away from it. "I'm old enough, see? I can do this because I'm old enough."

That's why they're called youthful lusts, because you should have matured and grown way past that kind of thinking. But they're youthful lusts because you're still thinking that way and we've got to flee. We've got to run away from that kind of stuff because every one of us gets overtaken by that kind of stuff. And we should be running for our lives.

"Oh, you're so legalistic." If it's going to save your soul, if it's going to really protect you, call me what you want. Call me irresponsible. What's the rest of the song? I forget the words. Go for it. You say, "Yeah, but we like it." I didn't say you didn't like it. I'm sure if you tried cocaine, you'd like it. I'm sure if you started drinking and you couldn't feel anything, you'd think that was fun until you woke up. Are you crazy? Are you really—is that where your whole heart and soul is at?

No, Timothy. And you teach others: flee youthful lusts. Run for your very life. Run away from it like it's going to eat you alive. Get out of there. Stay away from there. Don't play with it. Don't go around it. Run away from them. Run.

But you're not just running with no direction. Do you notice what the rest of the verse says? You're going to run to those whose hearts are set on the Lord. Let me read it again. Flee also youthful lusts, but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace with them—with those people who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

You're going to run for safety to Jesus and to those who love Jesus. Notice that if we would encourage one another, we've got somebody to run to if we're struggling or if we're being overtaken by these sins that easily beset us. We've got someone we can run to, another believer who loves the Lord. Isn't that what he just says here? Run away, but away to where? Those whose hearts are set on Jesus.

Those, he says, who call upon the name of the Lord, upon the Lord, and their lives will be showing it. "I don't want to hang out with them. They're boring." That's what the world says. If you catch yourself saying, "Man, Christians are boring," you have bought into what the world teaches. So you're already in trouble. You say, "I'm a Christian and I love the Lord, but—" You're already in trouble. You have bought into Satan's system.

So he says this: flee the lusts and run to Jesus and to those who walk with him. So just as we saw last time, we see it again this time. Choose your friends wisely. It will help you over and over again through your life. Learn early to pick those who love Jesus. Flee also youthful lusts, but instead follow righteousness, faith, love, peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Notice God will give you the strength. God's giving you his Holy Spirit, but we encourage one another. There are others who love Jesus too. Find them. Spend your time with them. Just tell them. Humble yourself. "Could I hang out with you? Nobody wants me around."

Well, look at the next verse. We better move here. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. You're going to flee youthful lusts. We need to do that. We need to run, but we need to run with those who love Jesus. We need to do the things that are pleasing: the righteousness and the peace and the love and the faith. We need to run in that bunch.

And here's what we also need to do. Do this: avoid foolish and unlearned questions. Now, some questions are legitimate. They're sincere. People are honest when they ask you. They may ask you the easiest question around. You know, "Where in the Bible does it say God loves me?" And you go, "Oh, that's so easy. I'm not even going to waste my time answering it."

No, no, no. You know what? Some questions are sincere. They're real. Answer their question. Well, first you could think of John 3:16, 3:16 and 17. You could go to 1 John. I mean, you could just start giving them scripture. Open your Bible. Show them. Those are questions, I believe, and you can tell the difference. I know you can.

You've had people ask you questions. You've had people at school or at work ask you, "Oh, so you Christians, like, what do you think about interspecies dating?" and you could tell by the way they ask it they don't really care. They're just wanting to get into a fight with you. But some are sincere. I think we should be able to answer every, as Peter writes, we should be able to give an answer to everyone that asks us why we believe.

We should be able, if they're sincere, and we should be able to answer questions about what we believe and why. And if they have questions that are sincere, we should be able to answer them. But here's what we're told to do: refuse, refuse to get caught up in foolish and stupid questions and arguments and debates.

Why? Because we know, he says, the only thing they produce is more arguments. Now, if you've ever witnessed and you found somebody who's not really interested in accepting the Lord, and they say, "Well, what about all the people over there in Tennessee?" and you say, "Well, you know, here's what God says about that." "Oh, okay. Well, then what about all the people that have never heard who live in China?" and you say, "Well, God's word says here—" "Okay then, all right then, what about—"

And you know, a fool can ask more questions than a wise man can answer. And all they're trying to do is take the attention off themselves because they don't want you to say, "What about you? Do you know Jesus?" "Well, you know, I don't believe in that because I read this article once and they said the God particle is—" See, here we go. We're off over there again. Notice?

So we're told: refuse to get caught up in the foolish questions and the stupid arguments and debates, knowing that they only produce more silly questions and more debates. Foolish questions generate more foolish questions. And if you've ever been there and you're in the big middle of it, you realize: I am getting nowhere. We are going nowhere here. We're going in circles. We're going nowhere. This is a waste of everybody's time.

You see, the world—and I'm not talking about the planet, the dirt and the rocks and things—the people on this planet, the world is going to hell. Jesus says, "Strait is the gate, narrow the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it." If you believe what Jesus says, you realize that probably most of the population today on this planet are not headed for heaven.

They're going to hell. There is a real place, a lake of fire, and that's where they're headed. So we don't have the time to get caught up in the foolish things that waste time. We've got to love the people. We've got to have the wisdom by the power of the Holy Spirit to recognize what is sincere, what is legitimate.

But you have to understand that there are some things you just want to avoid because there is somebody who might listen to the gospel, and that's what we're here to do: to preach Jesus Christ and him crucified and risen from the dead. I can't answer everybody's questions about what colors are actually in heaven. I can show you what the book of Revelation says, and then people argue over what color is a ruby anyway, and what color is sapphire? Is it really bluish or is it really—you know what? Who cares?

We need to get the gospel out so those that are lost, those who are hurting, those who are blind—spiritually blind and can't see—so they can know that Jesus loves them. People need to hear that Jesus loves you. They need to hear that he has made a way for you to be with God Almighty for eternity, and he's made it a free gift that you can have by simply saying yes and accepting that gift. People need to hear that.

So what do you think the devil wants you to spend your time on? Well, fighting with each other about how many angels can dance on the head of a straight pin. Avoid those foolish and unlearned questions. Avoid them, knowing they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all people, unto all mankind, able to teach, patient.

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil who are taken captive by him at his will. So let's put it all together.

We need to, at whatever age we're at, realize that it is important that we run from the things that can harm us spiritually. We're not legalistic. We're wanting to bring glory to God. We're wanting to be the ones who can share Jesus Christ to the rest of the world. We're not going to be perfect until that time he takes us on home, but we do want to bring him honor and glory, and we want to encourage one another to do the same thing.

Now, I don't get encouraged when you come and say, "You lazy, weasel turkey." That sort of thing. I don't really want to listen to this person anymore. "Repent, ugly!" and you think: well, he's not talking to me because I'm kind of handsome. And I hear Christians say the silliest things when they're trying to witness to people.

Notice something. He says this, as we're going to close here: the servant of the Lord must not strive. And you think: yeah, that's what he's telling Timothy. No, no, no. That's what he's telling you, me, and Timothy. Because listen closely, Christian. Every one of us, according to Jesus Christ—every one of us that calls upon the name of the Lord—we are servants of the Lord. Every one of us.

And the servant of the Lord is not going to strive. Everyone that belongs to Jesus understands this: Jesus is my Lord, my Master, I am his servant. If you belong to Jesus, you say it: I am his servant. And the servant of the Lord should not be a fighter, someone who always wants to get into strife and arguing.

And I do see Christians that if they say, "I don't believe in a Rapture," and you say, "Well, I do," they can't leave that alone. They've got to jump all over you and attack. And I just say, "Look, if you believe the moon is made of cheese, believe it. That's your business. Live it. I'm just going to live what I believe. Thank you."

The servant of the Lord must not be a brawler, a fighter. Instead, the servant of the Lord—that's you, that's me, that's us—instead, the servant of the Lord should be gentle. Another word you'd use in its place is kind. And not just with believers, but with everyone, with all people. Not just the ones you like, not just the ones you get along with, but with all people everywhere.

The servant of the Lord should also be able to teach. Not just the pastor, not just the pastor's wife, not just those who teach Sunday school, but every one of us should be able to teach someone. Now, he's not suggesting that every one of us goes to Bible college. It'd be good, wouldn't hurt you. But he's not saying go to Bible college, go full-time ministry, and everybody takes some kind of teaching position.

No. What he's saying is this: every one of us must be a student of the word so that we are able to help others understand it. So you teach whether you think about it or not. At work, somebody asks you a question and basically, when you're answering that question, a lot of times you're basically teaching them. Your children ask you, you're teaching them. Your husband, your wife—you're really teaching one another is what's going on.

And every servant of the Lord needs to be gentle and kind and be able to teach. And if you and I—if we will spend time in God's word—the Lord himself will give us the opportunities to share that and teach it. Ever notice that? You spend time in God's word, he's going to allow you to use that and it'll bless somebody else's life.

We're to be kind and gentle, and that's just like Jesus. And as we have opportunity to share with others, teach. But he says this: with patience. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle to all people, able to teach, and patient. And then he says this. With all of that, that we should do every bit of it in meekness. Isn't that what the next verse says? In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.

In meekness. Meekness is not weakness. Meekness—the word meek means power and strength under control. Doesn't mean you couldn't rip their head off. Sometimes you feel like it, but that would not be patient nor would it be gentle or kind. People need their heads. And so you have that meekness. Jesus Christ was meek. But believe me, he was God in human flesh. And if he spoke the word, you could be in trouble. Power and authority and strength under control.

We're to be meek. And see the gentle instruction he tells us we give, hoping that the Lord will grant them repentance—literally, a true change of heart—leading them to acknowledge the truth. If they have a change of heart, they're going to acknowledge Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

So notice the goal. The goal is always this fleeing youthful lusts, this running to the Lord and to be with those who call upon the Lord in the faith and the grace and the charity, the love, and the peace. Here's the goal of every bit of that. The goal is that they would come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

So that means the goal isn't when I share God's word that people will think I'm smarter than them in God's word. The goal is to win them to Jesus Christ, that God would open their eyes that they could see Jesus Christ as Lord. The goal isn't to prove we're more prepared than they are, or that somehow we're better or quicker or stronger or just much smarter.

No. See, the goal is that everyone realizes Jesus is the answer to everything, to their troubles. You say, "Man, I just want—it's rotten, it's terrible. I want to be better and I'm this and I'm that." Listen. The way to start that is to surrender your heart and say, "Lord, just take my life. Just take my life." Get back into the word, stay in fellowship, start running with the friends who want the same thing.

"I just want my life to be used for God's glory. I just want God to use me." Begin to ask him: "Lord, make my life count. Just make it count for you." Notice that's the goal. The goal is that they come to Jesus. And Paul says it plainly: so that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil. The devil, he says, takes them captive and holds them captive. So what they are is they're tormented. They're taken captive at his will, literally, whenever he chooses.

That should not be you and me. Our lives should reflect something else. It shouldn't be you and me. That's what Paul is encouraging Timothy. That's what he's encouraging him to do here. Let the Lord use us. Let the Lord use you so that others can be set free by God's Holy Spirit, so that others can have eternal life. Let's ask God to allow us to so live that somebody else could see Jesus and be saved.

Guest (Male): Thank you for listening to Apply Within with Pastor Bob Davis. Apply Within is a radio outreach ministry of North Country Chapel. Our Sunday morning Bible studies are at 9:00 and 11:00 AM. We also have a Friday evening Bible study at 7:00 PM and a Monday evening Bible study at 7:00 PM.

You can download today's message in its entirety at northcountrychapel.com/studies. That's northcountrychapel.com/studies. If you would like a copy of today's message, write to us and ask for the message with today's date. The address is Apply Within, 2281 West Seltice, Post Falls, Idaho, 83854, or call us at 1-800-572-8851. That number again: 1-800-572-8851.

Our mobile app is available for iPhone and Android. Download it to listen to full-length studies, watch the livestream of our services, or to find out more about church events. If you have been blessed by the teaching or have prayer requests that you would like to share with us, write, email, or call us as well. Please join with us every Monday through Friday as we study together verse-by-verse on Apply Within, sponsored by North Country Chapel. God bless you.