This reminds me of ‘flee fornication’ but it is much deeper than that. The lusts of our youth in this day are no different than it was then. And they are not singled out for the youth because there are elders who are drowning in the lust of their youth.
Some of us have not yet learned to put away the childish lusts of our youth. Lusts such as money, marriage, vacations, career, car, house, and more. None of those things matter. Who has or who doesn’t and who is going and who isn’t is irrelevant in regards to the things of this world.
We as people who claim to be disciples of Christ should be focused on heavenly things alone. We should instead be concerned about who knows Jesus and who is going to make it into heaven. All is vanity and if what you are desiring, spending your time pursuing or talking about is not concerning the things of Yah; if it is not fireproof, standing on the Word of Christ alone then it is void, it is vanity.
Heaven and earth shall pass away but the Word of Yah shall last forever. If you have no heavenly treasures, meaning treasures established in the Word, then you have nothing and are a slave to youthful lusts consumed by the world, yet to be consumed with it.
Our righteousness is that of Christ’s and as we bear His image, walking to obey His Word and living to meet His standard of holiness we shall be found righteous in the eyes of the Father among a perverse generation.
As we put away our sins, dying to our flesh we shall become righteous. As we speak His name we must walk according to His Word. If we confess Him with our mouths but our hearts are far from Him, we become liars and blasphemers in His eyes and His Spirit will not dwell within us.
We must believe and have faith in Christ and Christ alone. Speaking and carrying the doctrine of who He is and what He did for us. His blood was shed so we can be free from sin, death, hell, and the grave. He continues to live and sits at the right hand of our Father having dominion and authority over all things. He is glorified. He is Lord and King.
Our hope, future, and promise lies in Him alone. By His sacrifice we have been redeemed in His righteousness, by His blood we have been reconciled unto the Father with love, grace, and mercy. By our faith in Him alone we can conquer and remain steadfast in the times to come.
Those who love the Lord must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Loving Him above all things with our entire being. Giving Him our lives, our bodies as a sacrifice for Him to use unto His glory. To love our neighbors as we love ourselves. To love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who persecute us.
That is what separates us from the world and keeps us dwelling in the love of the Father. When we love our enemies as He loves His. When we pick up His image being intentional in service to Him and even those in unbelief. As He loved us while we still loved our sin. Abiding in His perfect love and loving others with that love will keep us from the snares of the world.
He will keep those in perfect peace who keep their mind on Him. As we pursue peace, keeping our eyes on the cross, we can and must overcome it all. Knowing, believing, and seeing what Jesus has done and continues to do in the background of our life gives a peace that surpasses all understanding. As we can stand on the truth that if He has delivered us before, He can do it again.
If He has saved, freed, conquered, and provided before, He is able and willing to do it again. He is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. And we should pursue the peace of His love, believe His Word with unwavering faith, and bear his righteousness so we can defeat our flesh and overcome youthful lusts.
The Word provokes us to look around us and question those we commune with, it is a command and not a suggestion. What fellowship does light have with darkness? Do not be unequally yoked does not speak to marriage alone, but also friendship and even acquaintances as well.
We must be diligent to protect our witness of Christ not only by outward appearance but by the integrity of our heart as well. Not compromising within, making small concessions that harden our hearts so that we no longer fell convicted or grieved by the Holy Ghost when we hurt Him.
The Holy Spirit has feelings, and His feelings are the only ones that matter. His feelings are based on the truth of the Word and we hurt Him when we know better but don’t choose better. Our feelings, our wants, and our desires do not matter, especially when they are not in alignment with the Word of Yah.
If we are not careful, those we fellowship with can be a stumbling block and a snare to our faith. Not everyone who professes the faith does so with a pure heart unto the Lord. No amount of works or tangible service unto Christ can assure that your heart is pure unto Him.
Jesus spoke that we should know a tree by their fruit. The fruit of the Spirit being love, joy, faith, patience, kindness, goodness, peace, humility, and self-control. When we bear those fruit we are sons and daughters of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Be aware of your fellow brethren who practice sin. Any person who claims to believe but they have no problem with you knowing or talking about their sin in front of you. They don’t mind using profane words of gossiping about everybody on the block in front of you although they too are ‘believers’ of the gospel.
You should question if they are serious about their faith. Better yet you may question why they are so comfortable to do so in front of you. Or why doesn’t it make you uncomfortable? Why haven’t you as a brother or sister spoken up of held them accountable to the Word of God? Our standard, our foundation.
Be intentional about fellowshipping with those who have a pure heart of service unto the Father. Who seek to live their life according to what has been written. Who you can correct in love knowing they would do so to you. That we all may be held accountable to flee our youthful lusts and purse the truth of Jesus Christ. The solid rock on which we stand and persevere in the narrow path of truth, holiness, and righteousness.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you right now in Yahushua name. Father, we repent for every time we have chased after our youthful lusts and put them in front of you. Even now we surrender them and ask you to take away our lustful desires that do not serve you or glorify your kingdom. Please replace our youthful lusts with you will and your plan for our lives. Help us to focus on your kingdom and how we can spread your word and glorify you in the earth. Help us to purse righteousness, faith, love, and peace as your word commands and surround us with goldy counsel and friendships that can follow the straight and narrow path with us. Please let us be an encouragement and a blessing to those around us by staying true to you Word and keep a pure and humble heart. We pray that your will would be done at all times in Yahushua name Amen.
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