Are You a Vessel of Dishonor, Part 1

Photo by Joanna Bourne

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.  Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.  The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Insights: The past two days we have looked at what vessels of honor look like.  The next two days we are going to look at what vessels of dishonor look like.  Today we will examine three attributes and tomorrow we will finish up with the final two.  The first characteristic of a vessel of dishonor is they pursue youthful lusts.  Now lusts are often associated with sexual sins, but the implications are much larger in scope.  This idea is more along the lines of the tenth commandment regarding coveting of others belongings.  In other words, we could lust after our neighbor’s wife and this would cover the sexual aspect, but we could also lust after their possessions, occupation, and many other things.  In all of these examples Paul’s admonition is one who is an honorable vessel will not get wrapped up in these lusts.  The second characteristic of dishonorable vessels is they foolishly and ignorantly speculate about things they know nothing about.  Have you ever had a conversation with an individual who knows everything about any subject?  More often than not this type of individual gets themselves into foolish and ignorant speculations because the reality is they do not know everything about every subject.  We ought to avoid such trappings to make ourselves appear better than we actually are.  The final characteristic we will examine today is vessels of dishonor get themselves involved in quarrels.  Again, do you know of someone who just likes to argue and fight just for the sake of being argumentative or hostile?  We ought to avoid such a lifestyle and individual.  No good will come from associating with vessels of dishonor.  Please understand, when I say avoid such individuals, I am not saying we ought not share Jesus with them.  I am saying that until Christ has transformed them, we need to not let them influence us and as a result we must make certain our time with such individuals is limited and intentional.

Questions:

 1. In what ways do you guard against youthful lusts?

 2. Would people describe you as a quarrelsome individual?

Prayer: Father, protect me from the temptations of life which may lead me down a path of youthful lusts, ignorant speculations and quarrels.  Grow me in grace to choose You over the guiles of this world. Amen.

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