Fleeing Wrong Desires

10, 11. (a) What does it mean to “flee from the desires incidental to youth”? (b) How can one “flee from fornication”?

¹⁰ Paul also urged Timothy to “flee from the desires incidental to youth.” When you are young, the wish to be popular, to have fun, or to satisfy sexual desires can be compelling. Left unchecked, such cravings can lead you into sin. Paul therefore said to flee harmful desires​—to run as if one’s life were at stake.a

¹¹ Sexual desire, for example, has led many Christian youths into spiritual ruin. With good reason, then, the Bible tells us to “flee from fornication.” (1 Corinthians 6:18) If a couple are courting, dating, they can apply this principle by avoiding tempting circumstances​—such as being alone in an apartment or a parked car. Having a chaperon accompany you may sound old-fashioned, but it can be a real protection. And while some expressions of affection may be appropriate, reasonable limits must be set so as to avoid unclean behavior. (1 Thessalonians 4:7) Fleeing from fornication would also include avoiding movies or TV shows that might arouse wrong desire. (James 1:14, 15) If immoral thoughts enter your mind uninvited, change the subject mentally. Go for a walk; do some reading; perform some household chore. Prayer is a particularly powerful aid in this regard.​—Psalm 62:8.b

12. How do you learn to hate what is bad? Illustrate.

¹² Above all, you must learn to hate, abhor, and detest what is bad. (Psalm 97:10) How do you hate what may at first be fun or pleasurable? By thinking about the consequences! “Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap; because he who is sowing with a view to his flesh will reap corruption from his flesh.” (Galatians 6:7, 8) When tempted to give in to passion, think of what is of greater consequence​—how this would hurt Jehovah God. (Compare Psalm 78:41.) Think, too, about the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy or of contracting a disease, such as AIDS. Consider the emotional devastation and loss of self-respect you would suffer. There may also be long-term consequences. One Christian woman admits: “My husband and I had sex relations before we met each other. Although we are both Christians today, our past sex life is a source of contention and jealousy in our marriage.” Not to be overlooked, either, is the loss of your theocratic privileges or the possibility of being expelled from the Christian congregation! (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) Is any momentary pleasure worth so high a price?

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Courting couples wisely get to know each other in settings, such as ice skating, that do not isolate them from other people