Flee

Paul used the word, flee, that is, run from something, in his New Testament letters.

Flee things like unsound and ungodly teaching, love of money, and a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction. 1 Timothy 6:3-5, 9-11

Flee worldly and empty chatter, and also youthful lusts. 2 Timothy 2:16, 22

Flee sexual immorality. 1 Corinthians 6:18

In other words, do NOT stand on the slippery riverbank nor dip your toes in the water, IF you want to be holy as the Lord is holy. Matthew 5:8; Hebrews 12:14-16; 1 Peter 1:14-16

"But we love each other," a couple says.

Paul might advise, Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. But because of sexual immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:1-2

But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 1 Corinthians 7:9

Let us live in a right way, like people who belong to the day. We should not have wild parties or get drunk. There should be no sexual sins of any kind, no fighting or jealousy. But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and forget about satisfying your sinful self. Romans 13:13-14

The first book of the Bible offers us a plan of escape if we're ever pressured or cornered into a sexual situation. Genesis 39:6-12

Proverbs doesn't mince words about the dangers of sexual sin.

For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,

and her speech is smoother than oil;

but in the end she is bitter as gall,

sharp as a double-edged sword. Proverbs 5:3-4

These commands are like a lamp;

this teaching is like a light.

And the correction that comes from them

will help you have life.

They will keep you from sinful women

and from the pleasing words of another man's unfaithful wife.

Don’t desire her because she is beautiful.

Don’t let her capture you by the way she looks at you. Proverbs 6:23-25

Paul wrote, Flee idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:14

John wrote, Keep yourselves from idols. 1 John 5:21

Including but also beyond worshiping man-made objects, Exodus 20:4-5; Acts 7:41; Revelation 9:20-21 some might say that an "idol" is anything that doesn't bring honor to the Lord.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Why does the Bible have these warnings?

Sin, when it's finished, brings death. James 1:15

Sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

The one who commits sexual immorality sins against their own body. 1 Corinthians 6:18

When sin entered the world, it brought death on all people. Romans 5:12; 2 Corinthians 5:14

Sin will give a place for the devil to land. Ephesians 4:27

Sin will let the devil have an advantage over us.

But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11

Sin can show itself in our actions.

Perhaps, we should run from these in this list from Paul --

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions [making people angry with one another], factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing [wild and wasteful parties], and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

Sin causes shame.

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. Romans 6:20-21

God the Father doesn't want us to be ashamed. Romans 10:11

His love gave the cure for sin John 1:29; 1 John 4:14 and gives ways to flee it.

Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

He loved us first. 1 John 4:19

He loved the world in such a way that He didn't want us to be slaves to sin. Romans 6:17-18

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The Lord Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil.

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

Jesus came to give us His abundant life. John 10:10

So, maybe we should flee, run from, and abstain from fleshly lusts that war against our souls. 1 Peter 2:11

These would include the things that the Lord hates, don't you think?

There are six things the Lord hates.

There are seven things he cannot stand:

a proud look,

a lying tongue,

hands that kill innocent people,

a mind that thinks up evil plans,

feet that are quick to do evil,

a witness who lies,

and someone who starts arguments among families. Proverbs 6:16-19

When we sin because we didn't immediately flee from it, remember and do these Scriptures --

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Go and sin no more. John 5:14; 8:11

Your thoughts?

R. Jason