Today you should read: 2 Timothy 2:22-26
Paul is big about putting off a life of sin and putting on a life of godliness. He writes in Ephesians 4:22-23, “22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (ESV) He writes similar things in our passage today, all in light of “presenting yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed.” (2:15)
Put off: youthful passions // Put on: righteousness, faith, love, and peace (v. 22)
Paul is imploring Timothy to avoid youthful passions, which is essentially referring to lust. But Paul doesn’t just say to stop sinning; he says to stop sinning by pursuing better things. How often have you tried to break a sin habit but been frustrated by a lack of change? Maybe your attempt to break the sin wasn’t accompanied with an increased focus and worship of God.
Put off: quarrelsomeness // Put on: kindness, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, gentleness (v. 23-25)
This next section talks about the ability to deal with difficult people. Instead of pursuing quarrels with people, we should focus on kindness, patience, and gentleness (all fruit of the Spirit). Those characteristics, accompanied with the ability to explain the Bible can be effective tools with dealing with difficult people.
What are some ways that you need to repent from your sin by putting on godliness instead of just focusing on no longer sinning? Look to Christ and allow your heart to worship God fully as you turn from your sin!
By: Graham Withers — Pastoral Ministry Associate
One of our goals as a church this year is that our people would be praying everyday. To help you be accountable, use the comment section to post prayer requests and experiences of how God has answered prayer and/or changed you through prayer! If you would like to be enrolled to get weekly prayer reminders, text @cpclex to 81010.
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