Re: Why Jesus says "Flee Youthful Lusts"

John:

Peter and Paul wrote,

"Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul." (1 Peter 2:11)

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." (Romans 13:14)

"Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." (2 Tim 2:22)

The reason why Jesus tells us in His word to flee youthful lusts is not because he is against marriage or your having a wife, it is because you cannot control your flesh! NO ONE CAN! When you give your flesh opportunity it will take over and you will not be able to submit yourself to the Lord even if you want to. That is what Paul is talking about in Romans 8:6-8 when he said the flesh never did obey God’s laws and never will. That is why Paul then writes in Romans 13:14 "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, AND MAKE NO PROVISION FOR THE FLESH in regard to its lusts." Why? Because when given opportunity the flesh will take over and you will not be able to do the things that you please or anything Jesus wants you to do.

This is why you cannot give your flesh any quarter and must, must, must, must, must, must!!! give your rights and desires to Jesus and allow Him to provide for those when He is ready to move you in those areas of your life when he decides the time is right. To do anything about it yourself will result in your never developing your spiritual potential (Matt 16:24-26), never developing your talents and abilities (Prov 6:32), and never knowing who God created you to be (Matt 25). John, you cannot control the flesh, so surrender those things to Jesus and focus on what he is telling you to focus on right now: Evangelism and the training program of Evangelism you are currently doing and on seeking Him and what He is wanting you to do with your life. If you pursue your fleshly desires instead you will never know Jesus’ purpose and plan for your life, and even if you know it, you will never be able to fulfill it.