How to Run Away and Run After

Daily Devotional – Monday, January 20, 2025
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11 (NKJV)

We are continuously tempted by the world to pursue transient joys, monetary gain, or self-centered ambition. That is why Paul warns us to beware of traps that entangle the soul, and urges us to flee and pursue at the same time.

Flee and Pursue

Running from sin is about seeing that anything that draws us away from God is damaging and worth avoiding by all means. Protecting our hearts and thoughts and putting our focus solely on Jesus is a deliberate decision we should make.

Fleeing from sin is only one aspect of the Christian life; another is racing toward God. Like Timothy, we should strive for “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness,” according to the apostle.

How to Run Away and Run After

We cannot acquire these virtues by ourselves. They are the result of living a life that is controlled by God’s Spirit. In order to pursue them, we must rely on God every day through prayer, reading His Word, and participating in a Christian community that challenges and supports us in our beliefs.

What are we running away from? What are you running after? Do you strive for the everlasting treasures of God’s kingdom, or are you enmeshed in the transient worldly pursuits? Seek God’s assistance in determining what in your life you need to run from. Then, ask God to give you the courage and direction to pursue virtue, piety, faith, love, kindness, and endurance.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, please enable me to pursue the attributes that best represent Your character and to flee from anything that might draw me away from You.