It Starts Small

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁵ God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:11-16

But you, man of God

Paul passionately emphasizes that Timothy is a true man of God. He stands distinctly separate from the fleeting allure of the world. In prior verses, he courageously warned against the seductive dangers of loving money. A worldly individual chases after material possessions. However, a devoted follower of God places love for Him above all else. They prioritize the noble act of serving Him. We, the devoted disciples of Jesus, proudly carry the title “Christians,” never “wealthtians.” Our hearts are set on following Christ, not the chains of wealth. The next time you feel the pull to compromise your values for money, resist that urge. Your unwavering loyalty lies with God. As a man or woman of God, you stay true to Him.

flee from these things

The very things Timothy is called to flee from are vividly described in verses four to ten. They include the deceptive teachings of the false teacher. These entail the alluring lifestyle that entices him towards greed and materialism. “Flee” is a powerful, urgent term used throughout Scripture, capturing a believer’s imperative reaction to temptation. We must passionately run away from anything that threatens to ensnare our hearts and corrupt our spirits.

Someone may proclaim that fleeing is a coward’s escape, but let us challenge that notion! Believers are indeed strong and resilient, facing trials with unwavering determination, right? We should boldly confront temptation! These thoughts, however, are mere deceptions crafted by the enemy. Renowned Chinese tactician Sun Tzu taught us a vital truth: “know your enemy and know yourself.” It’s crucial to acknowledge that our foe—Satan and the influences of the world—possesses tremendous power. The temptations they unleash upon us are insidiously enticing. Remember, Satan’s temptations aren’t one-size-fits-all; he meticulously tailors them to exploit our vulnerabilities. If alcohol doesn’t interest you, he won’t waste time there. If you’re incredibly diligent, he won’t waste his efforts trying to lull you into laziness. He will strike at your most fragile points, aiming to bring you down!

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IF you are following along in the journal, you will find a worksheet titled “My Weaknesses”. Spend some time pondering the weaknesses in your life and see how evil uses these weaknesses to tempt you away from you building your relationship with the Lord. You can also download the worksheet below

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Do you know your own weaknesses? Which temptations are more effective on you? Part of the key to victory is understanding your own weaknesses. Identify the temptations that often work against you. When faced with these, make sure to run away. The difference between Joseph and Samson is clear. Joseph ran away when faced with a temptation from his master’s wife. In contrast, Samson would see a beautiful woman, keep looking, and then go closer to enjoy a bit.

An alcoholic should not test his willpower by stepping into a bar. Temptation lurks around every corner. The truly wise decision is to steer clear of such environments altogether. For anyone wrestling with lust—likely a battle many men face—it is crucial to avoid situations that might provoke unwanted desires. Avoid dining out with alluring colleagues. Do not embark on business trips that keep you alone with an attractive co-worker. Refrain from spending late hours alone on a computer. Embrace the strength in choosing your surroundings wisely!

So how does a person flee from the love of money?

• Walk away bravely when someone attempts to bribe you; your integrity is worth more than any deceitful offer.
• Surround yourself with individuals who uplift you, steering clear of those who lure you into the shadows of dishonest business dealings.
• Distinguish yourself from those consumed by talk of wealth or entranced by fleeting trends of fashion and luxury; seek the substance that truly enriches the soul.
• Embrace the power of intentional choices in your career and vocation, selecting paths that honor God and allow you to serve others, rather than chasing after the empty allure of riches.

Pursue

The Bible brilliantly juxtaposes negative instructions with uplifting ones, igniting a powerful truth within us. Imagine a believer frantically fleeing from countless fears and challenges, yet failing to charge toward a purpose! What a disorienting existence that would be—adrift, without meaning, stumbling through life. This individual may obsess over a daunting list of “do nots.” They remain completely oblivious to the vibrant call of action that beckons them forward. But here’s the exhilarating reality: one can simultaneously shun temptation and fervently chase after godliness. These pursuits are like opposing forces, and in escaping one, we gloriously advance toward the other. This profound insight reminds us that we can never simply stand still; the journey demands our unwavering commitment!

We must recognize a compelling truth about the tongue when applying this principle. Silence is not an option. The tongue can wield incredible power, for good or for ill. Instantly, we must fervently strive to harness our words for positivity and righteousness. A true man or woman of God should boldly take the initiative to seek out every opportunity to uplift others. They should radiate love, strengthen their faith, and demonstrate profound gentleness.

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If you are using the journal, you will find a page called “Pursuing Godliness”. Use this worksheet to challenge yourself in understanding what Paul lists in verse 11 as godly things to pursue and what gets in the way of that pursuit. You can also download this worksheet blow.

See Also: Blog Series – Pursuing Godliness
Blog Series – Pursue Righteousness

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Fight the good fight of the faith

You must understand that you are in a battle! Christians are not on a leisurely cruise; you are not drifting along a lazy river in some mundane water park. No, you are in a fight! Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, eager to devour you! He won’t rest until your life lies in shambles. He will drag you and everyone you care about into the abyss of hell. His hatred for God is fueled by a malice and bitterness beyond our comprehension. You are his target because you are a faithful follower of Christ! Every moment he is on the prowl, crafting schemes to undermine God and attack His saints. He wields a multitude of weapons. These include the world, media, the internet, entertainment, psychology, peer pressure, alcohol, drugs, and even your own flesh. While not all of these are inherently evil, he weaponizes them to sabotage your walk with God!

If a wild beast burst into your home, intent on snatching away your child, would you really sit idly by? Would you continue being immersed in Netflix while it dragged your little one into the darkness? No! You would leap into action, battling with every ounce of strength in your body, using your bare hands if necessary. You would unleash a ferocious fight for survival, determined to protect your family at all costs!

We must fervently engage in the battle against Satan. We must never rest, never relax, nor ignore his presence. We must certainly never give up! We are called to resist the devil with unwavering resolve so that he will flee from us in fear. In this relentless fight, our most potent weapon is prayer. You are never alone in this struggle. The arrogance of believing “I can handle it” will pull us under faster than anything else. Just as Gotham City shines the bat signal to summon their superhero, we can call upon our divine ally. We can reach God through the power of prayer. The next time temptation arises, utter these simple yet profound words, “God help me.” He will provide the support and strength you need. Turning to God and speaking those words will empower you. This act will help you resist evil. You will confront Satan’s advances head-on!

Take hold of eternal life

Here is an electrifying call to action regarding the pursuit of righteousness! Seize hold of eternal life, grasp it tightly, and never let it slip away! The profound knowledge of and fervent hope for eternal life propels us to live with purpose and conviction. When you truly recognize that a magnificent eternal life awaits you, it ignites the courage to resist temptation. You stand firm against adversity. It empowers you to remain steadfast in faith, even amidst persecution, for this earthly existence is merely a fleeting moment. It fuels your desire to fervently pray. You deepen your relationship with God. You do this knowing you will one day bask in His glorious presence forever. It strengthens your resolve to reject the empty promises of the world. These promises are but a shadow. They are temporary and destined to fade away!

Timothy had boldly declared his faith in Christ, witnessed by many around him. Yet, a mere past confession was insufficient; he needed to embody that faith each and every day. The same urgency applies to us! Your salvation is not simply a distant memory, a fleeting event when you walked the aisle as a child. It is not merely a choice made in the past. Salvation is a living, breathing reality that demands your commitment today! You must reaffirm your spoken confession constantly. Also, embrace your deep commitment internally to live for Jesus every single day. When you grasp onto the divine promises of God, you cannot simultaneously cling to the distractions of this world. Our hands can only hold tightly to one thing at a time!

I charge you  to keep this command without fault or failure

The command resonates deeply with the call to flee from worldly distractions and fervently pursue righteousness. It echoes the powerful charge in verse 12 to fight the good fight, standing firm in faith. This could also be the heartfelt urging from Paul to uphold the noble confession he made before the Lord. In truth, it encompasses all of these vital aspects. Each element powerfully converges on the singular goal: to relentlessly follow Jesus instead of succumbing to the world’s pull. Timothy must hold steadfast. He must resolutely turn away from the enticing snares of the world. He should dedicate his entire heart to God. Just like Timothy, we are entrusted with the sacred mission. We must walk that narrow road. We should passionately strive for an ever-deepening relationship with our Savior.

The appearing of our Lord Jesus

Paul declares that this event is destined to unfold at the “proper time.” God is the sovereign, immortal King of Kings. He will return to this world precisely when it is meant to be. It will be neither a second too soon nor a second too late. This is a certainty we can rely on! Understanding that He is coming back should ignite a fire within us. It should urge us to be fully prepared. We need to passionately live for Him in the present moment.

Paul passionately explores the profound aspects of God’s divine nature. He ultimately urges us to shower Him with the honor and praise He so richly deserves. So, how can we embody this honor in our everyday lives? Each of our actions has the power to reflect His glory. Our words can reflect His glory when we choose to obey Him. We also reflect His glory when we boldly testify of His goodness. We can glorify Him fervently through heartfelt prayers. We can also lift Him up in our conversations with everyone around us. This is true whether they share our faith or not. In doing so, we spread the joy of His presence far and wide.

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Cross-References

• Hebrews 13:5
• Ecclesiastes 5:10
• 2 Timothy 2:22
• 2 Timothy 4:7-8
• James 4:7
• Ephesians 6:13

Discussion Questions

• Why does Paul emphasize “man of God?”
• Flee what things (11)?
• What is the relationship between fleeing and pursuing? Can you flee one thing and pursue another thing at the same time?
• How do you pursue something intangible like righteousness or faith?
• What is the good fight of faith? Why is called a fight? How can you win this fight?
• How would someone “take hold” of eternal life?
• What “good confession” did Jesus make in front of Pontius Pilate?
• What commandment is Timothy supposed to keep unstained (14)?
• What do we learn about Jesus’ return in these verses?
• How can you prepare for His return now?
• What do these verses teach us about God and His character?
• How can you give God honor in your daily life?

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