Three Flees

1 Timothy 6:11

Remember that scene in Forrest Gump when he’s being chased by the boys on bikes?  Forrest’s legs are strapped with the braces as he tries to run and Jenny is screaming, “Run, Forrest, run!”  Sometimes the best thing you can do is run.  ...Times when running is not a sign of compromise but of commitment.  Sometimes you the best thing you can do is run.

Having been raised in the country I know a little about running.  I have ran from dogs, snakes, wasps, yellow jackets...and the man who owned the watermelon patch that night when I was sixteen when a few of us decided to enjoy a melon or two.  

The worst running I ever did was to run from God.  I did that for close to three years beginning when I was in the tenth grade at Brewer High School.  God was speaking to me at a young age about being a preacher.  I ignored Him...pretended I didn't hear the call...and ran hard and fast till I was nineteen.  I stopped running - got saved - and answered the call to preach.  That was the best running I ever stopped.

Running...You may have ran from your sister, from your parents, from the bully at school, or maybe even the cops - but you’d better learn to run from sin.  Run Forrest Run!

Paul talked about "fleeing."  It's kind of like running.  But, instead of fleeing sin, we’re fascinated with it.  Instead of resisting the devil we’re running from God.  Instead of getting out of Dodge we’ve gotten in over our head.  Paul told Timothy to flee.  Why don’t we?

In 1 Timothy 6:11 Paul said to Timothy, “Flee from these things…” Flee...  It means RUN…another translation of the Bible uses the word FLY.  You get the idea.  Paul is referring back to what he said about the love of money.  In verse 10 we see those folks as…People who love money too much…  These folks are never satisfied - Never content….Always thinking about how to make more, have more, and get more.  They love money too much and God too little.  People who leave their beliefs behind… In their greediness, they “stray from the faith.” They are no longer firmly persuaded in God, planted in His word, and pursuing His plans.  Consumed with having it all…they forget God.

People who lose their peace of mind… Their life is pierced through with many sorrows.  Why use the imagery of a sword and piercing?  Because the end result is that painful - A life that is built on riches more than God.  No sleep.  No rest.  No joy.  Paul said to run from all that.  Run for your life…  Why?  Because these things will “drown you” and “pierce you.” (vv9-10)   Run for your life. Don’t try to be reasonable – Run!

Here are Three Flees Paul warned believers about.…

• Flee Sexual Immorality 1 Cor. 6:18-19 “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”  This is one of the few sins that has ripple effects that can last a lifetime.  King David was forgiven, but he never completely recovered from his date with Bathsheba. 
• Flee Lifeless Idolatry 1 Cor. 10:14-15 “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” While most of us don’t bow to images or idols – Too many of us have put God at the bottom of the list of priorities.  We believe Jesus is Savior – But we don’t behave like He is Lord.  Flee! 
• Flee Youthful Impurity 2 Tim. 2:22-23 “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” The foolish decisions we make when we’re young can haunt us the rest of our life.  “Lusts…” The idea is sinful – spur of the moment decisions – that become a ball and chain.  Thank God for forgiveness!

Friend, let's pray for one another today.  God help us to flee.  God help us to run just like Forrest Gump.  In the end, we'll be glad we did.  M