Fleeing from temptation is a concept that is emphasized in the Bible as an important part of the Christian life. At its core, it refers to actively avoiding situations that could entice us into sin. As humans living in a fallen world, we face temptation on a regular basis. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to resist temptation and pursue holiness and righteousness instead (2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Peter 1:13-16). The Bible makes it clear that we should make every effort to flee from temptation rather than try to face it head-on in our own strength.
There are several key aspects to fleeing temptation according to Scripture:
- Recognizing areas of weakness and sources of temptation – We need to be honest in assessing situations or relationships that routinely lead us into temptation. These could be people, places, activities, or even times of day (Psalm 119:59, Hebrews 3:12-13).
- Avoiding compromising situations – If we know something will put us in a tempting situation, we should actively avoid those circumstances. For example, choosing not to be alone with someone if that stirs up lust (2 Timothy 2:22, Proverbs 6:20-29).
- Filling our lives with righteousness – Replacing sinful activities and relationships with righteous ones. Pursuing wholesome things that strengthen our faith and relationship with God (Philippians 4:8, Romans 12:9-21).
- Dependence on God’s strength – Relying on the Holy Spirit to empower us to flee from temptation rather than trying to fight it alone (1 Corinthians 10:13, James 4:7-8). Praying for God’s help.
- Fleeing immorality – Specific commands to flee from sexual immorality emphasize its importance (1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Timothy 2:22).
- Avoiding idolatry – Fleeing idolatry means removing anything that takes the place of God in our hearts and lives (1 Corinthians 10:14, 1 John 5:21).
Running from temptation goes against our natural inclinations. We tend to flirt with sin and see how close we can get without getting burned. But Scripture tells us this approach leads to disaster (James 1:14-15). God wants us to radically amputate anything causing us to sin (Matthew 5:29-30). This requires wisdom, discipline and dependence on the Spirit. Carefully considering the people, places and activities we engage in is crucial. Christians should thoughtfully establish boundaries that help avoid compromise.
Of course, living in this world means we cannot always avoid temptation completely. But we can control much of our environment and influences. As 2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV) instructs: “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” This verse encapsulates the positive and proactive aspects of fleeing temptation. Our goal should be to cultivate “a pure heart” by saturating our lives with that which encourages righteousness rather than sin.
Here are some biblical examples of fleeing temptation:
- Joseph fleeing sexual sin – When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him, Joseph refused her advances and literally fled the scene to avoid further temptation (Genesis 39:7-12).
- David’s adultery with Bathsheba – This is a sobering example of what happens when someone doesn’t flee from temptation. Instead of avoiding the tempting situation, David lingered and ended up committing terrible sins (2 Samuel 11:1-5).
- Paul avoiding false teachers – False teaching can be spiritually dangerous. Paul instructed Timothy to flee from certain teachers promoting false doctrine (1 Timothy 6:3-11, 2 Timothy 2:16-19).
- Demas’ love of the world – Under perilous persecution, Demas deserted Paul’s ministry, embracing the present world instead. This highlights the temptation to worldliness (2 Timothy 4:9-10).
Fleeing temptation is often countercultural and not easy. It goes against the grain of society’s careless moral relativism. But God makes it clear how highly He values personal holiness and purity. He wants us to avoid that which ensnares our hearts and leads us into sin. With His enabling grace, we can actively flee from temptation. We do this by pursuing Him wholeheartedly, saturating our lives with His truth and righteousness. As James 4:7 (ESV) says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Staying close to God is the best way to ensure we flee temptation rather than flirt with it. The Lord promises to reward those who earnestly seek purity (Matthew 5:8, 2 Timothy 2:22).
In summary, fleeing temptation means:
- Knowing our areas of weakness
- Avoiding compromising situations and relationships
- Filling our lives with righteousness and good things
- Depending on God’s strength rather than our own
- Making no provision for fleshly desires (Romans 13:14)
- Pursuing spiritual discipline and maturity
- Cultivating a love and hunger for God’s Word
- Submitting to the Holy Spirit’s conviction and guidance
- Surrounding ourselves with wise and godly friends
As disciples of Christ, we honor God by doing all we can to resist temptation and flee from that which threatens our spiritual integrity. Scripture assures us that if we humble ourselves and draw near to God, He will give us grace and help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16, James 4:6-10). Fleeing temptation is challenging but so worth it. The rewards are immense when we choose righteousness over sin. God promises to bless those who earnestly strive to keep their way pure (Psalm 119:9-11). May we all follow the Bible’s instructions to flee temptation and zealously pursue holiness, with God’s help and to His glory.