Finish Line Faith, 7: Two strategies for growing spiritually
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work (2 Timothy 2:20, 21).
By Matt Proctor*
How exactly is Timothy to be a pure instrument for God’s use? Paul gives his disciple two strategies. The first is to run from sin. Paul writes, “Flee the evil desires of youth” (2:22).
A man once came to an old country doctor, saying, “Doc, I broke my arm in two places. What should I do?” The old doctor said, “You ought to stay out of them places!” Paul is charging Timothy to stay out of the places where a spiritual fall might occur.
Because Timothy was a single young man with normal sexual temptations, he probably had to avoid certain streets in Ephesus. The temple of Artemis the fertility goddess, may have included temple prostitutes, and archaeologists have uncovered—directly across the courtyard from the city library—the Ephesus town brothel. In fact, engravings in the marble street pavement show the way! Timothy is to avoid such places. Like Joseph in Genesis 39, he must run.
This is wise advice, no matter what sin you struggle with. Too many of us make too much provision for temptation for too long. As one preacher I heard put it, “If we hesitate, we contemplate. If we contemplate, we negotiate. If we negotiate, we participate. If we participate, we devastate.” Too many Christians never make it to the finish line because of moral failure.
Removing temptation, however, is not enough. The second step to resisting temptation is replacing temptation. We must not simply remove evil desire. We must replace it with good (see Matthew 12:43-45). That’s why, after Paul says to “flee the evil desires of youth,” he says to “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace” (2:23).
If the first strategy is to run from sin, the second strategy is to chase after goodness. Christians are not simply to be known for what we don’t do. Ultimately, Christians are to be known for what we do—acts of justice and love and peace. Are we actively engaged in developing the character of Jesus? It’s not enough to run from the things of the devil; we must also run after the things of Christ.
The word for “pursue” means to hunt down with a vengeance. Paul is telling Timothy to pursue these character qualities with an intense intentionality—with a vengeance. He mustn’t let a day go by without seeking to grow his love and peace and faith, without checking to see if he is making progress.
Do you check your spiritual progress? How intentional are you about your spiritual development?
We must constantly evaluate where we need to grow in Christ: Is it in developing loving relationships, or exercising gentleness, or being marked by joy, or practicing self-control? And then we must actively engage in growing. If I’m not a person of joy, for example, then I should strategize ways to grow in joy.
• Memorize Scriptures about joy.
• Hang around children—they are so good at joy.
• Make time in my schedule to slow down and enjoy God’s creation.
• Learn a new joke and tell it three times this week.
• Sing.
• Pray that God will infect me with his joy.
As you cultivate your likeness to Jesus, you, like Timothy, will be a noble instrument for God’s use, “an awful weapon in the hand of God.”
Especially for Caregivers
• Which of these, if you pursued it, would give you the greatest chance of growing spiritually? Righteousness, faith, love, or peace?
• What temptation has grown for you since you’ve become a caregiver?
• How could you adapt the strategies suggested above for reaching one goal (developing joy) to help you where you’re seeking to grow spiritually?—M.T.
Read: 2 Timothy 2:14-26
Pray: Lord, strengthen me in my efforts to make this season of caregiving an opportunity to grow closer to you.
* This devotion is adapted with permission from a new book by Matt Proctor, president of Ozark Christian College (Joplin, Missouri) (c) 2024. Finish Line Faith is a 12-week study of 2 Timothy perfect for any group or Bible study, and this devotion gives only a taste of the down-to-earth encouragement it provides. Click here for information on ordering copies for yourself or your group.