Fast and Furious
Now flee youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 NASB
Youthful lusts – Movies of passion, speed and (most of the time) illegal behavior. Perhaps that’s why the Vin Diesel classics appeal. We would all like to think that some “higher” morality allows us to be fast and furious. Paul thinks otherwise, but he wasn’t directing the movie, was he?
“Youthful lusts” is the translation of neoterikas epithymias. These are behaviors typically associated with younger, immature, persons. Juvenile. Paul couples this with epithymias, a word derived from thymos. It has the added emphasis, “strong passions.” Behaviors that exhibit violent forces, sometimes associated with wrath. Often epithymia is connected to hedone, especially when it involves two basic human desires: food and sex. In rabbinic thinking, this is associated with the yetzer ha’ra. Ah, it isn’t evil, is it? Food isn’t evil. Neither is sex (although Puritan England seemed to think so). In fact, both are necessary for life. But both can easily become overwhelming desires, good things turned into explosive passions. In a word, addictions.
Apparently Paul thought that there were stages of life where preoccupation with food and sex ruled. An infant must have nourishment. We do not fault a baby for crying for mother’s milk. It is necessary. Nor do we fault sexual interest at the puberty stage. It is inevitable. But then we are to grow up. Food becomes a choice and a necessity. We learn to fast in order to make sure food is a choice. It does not drive us. When it does, we soon discover there is no end to the need for satisfaction. Epithymia (desire) is continually unsatisfied. That’s why it is called “desire” instead of “contentment.”
Sex is a choice. It is necessary if we are to survive as a species, and perhaps it is necessary in order to experience the deepest sense of intimacy between human beings (perhaps). But it is still a choice. According to Paul, sex is neither fast nor furious. Its power resides in transition. Once past puberty, things change. Choice instead of instinct. Consideration instead of demand. Just like food, it makes life possible. But it is not supposed to rule us.
In Fast and Furious, Vin Diesel is a man of passion, loosely controlled. Timothy is also a man of passion, a passion for righteousness. That means neoterikas epithymias must be controlled. How? By running away. Vin Diesel’s approach to potential compromise is aggression and conflict. Paul’s advice is to be a coward. Paul has a much greater appreciation for the power of epithymia and the potential for failure than Hollywood. Things do not always turn out right in the end. In real life, heroes die. And righteousness is sometimes served by death. So flee! It’s quite alright with God. There are more important things to die for than food or sex.
Topical Index: epithymia, neoterikas, flee, food, sex, lust, 2 Timothy 2:22
Slow Food
You know, – I like “slow.” I like (love) slow-cooked food. I like “old-fashioned, old-school, grandma” food that takes days (not minutes) to prepare. Good food, (and food that is good for you) does not come from a microwave oven.
Good food takes times to prepare. Hooray for slow!- Oh, but I’m far from through with this diatribe!- No sir,- no m’am! Then there is the the eating or consummation of this good food.. The confession: – I am a slow eater.. usually the last one to finish at the table. My (then) teen-age kids? They eat “wolf and duck,” – they wolf it down (what did you just eat?- I don’t know!) and duck out the door! My response, (if I see this) is, – “no one is going to take this food away from you- Slow down! – Enjoy!
Fast food? (and “junk food”) – As for me, – No thanks! Don’t wan’t it, – I prefer “something better!” Thank you daddy for your sage (sage comes with age, kids) advice: “Son, (yes, daddy?) – Spend a little extra- and eat something good!”
The absolute best food is always- (always) fresh!- and the closer to the natural state- the better! Now, are we ready to consider the war between the “artificial and the authentic?”- But you see..- we still have a choice to make! What to eat? What to consume- this day! And? (We already know) – Every choice will be followed by? (ok kids, – what’s it called?) Yes. A consequence. – After all, – “a donut a day keeps the doctor away!” Uhh.. – no.
To attempt to “long-story short” this,- It’s called “refuse and choose..”
This, – is how it gets done. Refuse this: (junk) but please… -don’t stop here! Don’t just say “no!”- say YES! (amen) to something better! –
Yes, “discernment” – it even shows up in “our daily bread!” Please.. (kids) be very ‘choicy’ in your choices! Why settle -when you may select?
According to the instructions of the word of God (yes, -it’s Biblical!)
~ Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare ~ (Isaiah 55.2)
Let’s Eat!! (Soul Food? -yes, please!)
I really like that comment! It is interesting to me that the learning of self-control/discernment starts so young, even with food. We often tell our children to calm down when eating instead of having a mad dash to the table. In the beginning, the slow eaters are the ones who don’t want to eat the veggies. Eventuallly they do and are pleased with themselves for making healthy choices. Say yes to physical health.
As for sex…I thik the concept of niddah is so beautiful. Once again it exerts the need for self-control, which I believe is beautiful and possibly a fading truth in society. It stands in contrast of a when I ask, I get culture. Waiting says yes to emotional/relational/social health.
I am a bit perplexed by your reference to niddah. How does this expression for menstruation suggest a “fading truth in society’?
I think Melissa is alluding to sexual self control that Torah requires during this monthly period.
When we move so fast; at times we missed, opportunities to brighten someone’s day, a smile, saying good day, even our blessings, will be missed, we need to take time to smell the roses, and enjoy YAH’S creation as my grandmother always say SLOW ANDEASY WINS THE RACE
Oh how I wish I knew about the hebraic roots of the word of Yeshua a long time ago. For example, “flee fornication” in the sense of ‘protect/guard’ the Torah (teaching/instruction) completely changes the meaning of fleeing fornication in my mind. It really comes across as a plea from a truly loving and caring parent than an instruction from someone who does not really understand. Bless you Skip and all the other fellow labourers who are pointing the rest of those who don’t yet see the crucial difference the hebraic texts makes.
Luis is correct. I should have explained myself better. I meant a “fading truth” in the sense that there is very little waiting anymore for anything. The lack of self-control. Taking time to benefit your spouse by loving him/her in other non-physical ways instead of this is what I want, when I want it (the fast and furious mindset?). I think many people without knowing the truth of Torah will figure out a way to get what I want during niddah or not because we are “free” to do what we want. To me, it seems so loving that Yah wants us to curb passion and not be so loosely controlled. Hopefully this explains what I meant…