Rules To Live By - 2Tim. 2:16, 17, 22

From 12/10/2006 reading:

"Avoid godless, foolish discussions that lead to more and more godlessness. This kind of talk spreads like cancer... Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. Pursue faith and love and peace, and enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with a pure heart." 2Tim. 2:16, 17, 22

What great rules to live by! The first thing that caught my attention was how often Paul warns against getting involved in foolish arguments. He describes it like a cancer, that spreads and literally kills those it touches. He must have seen human nature at work, just like it is today, with its propensity to gossip and argue with no end in mind. Most importantly, the time we sacrifice to this activity is taken directly from time we could spend doing the profitable things he suggests we "follow" and "pursue."

Holy Spirit, give me direction to cut any "cancer" out of my life, and narrow my focus to the "profitable" things.

Today's reading: 2Tim. 1-4