Matthew 10:23

“When they persecute you in this city, flee to another…”

It’s not cowardice to know when to flee. There are battles you need to stay and fight to the end, but there are battles where God expects you to escape. It’s not lack of conviction that makes you flee, but a discernment that this is not a situation in which you need to stay and suffer. Note, however, that in escaping it is not expected that you give up your convictions or give in to pressures. Fleeing could involve leaving a place of intense persecution for a season so that you build stamina and ability for the next battle.

Jesus said to them, “flee to another city.” This is a clear enough instruction. We must learn to flee. A man who stands when he should flee, may find himself operating outside of the grace and will of God. So, we must be resolute and determined in our faith and convictions of truth, but we must also be discerning to know where and when we should dig in to resist evil and when we need to move away from an oppressive evil, even for a season. May the Spirit grant us the sensitivity to know the different timings when walking with God.

“Father, I don’t want to walk in human bravado or zeal without sensitivity. I may want to stand for You when you don’t expect me to. O Lord, who is deaf but Your servant? Help me hear You so that I know how to respond correctly. May I never stay when I should run and may I never run when I should stay. Help me always know the difference. In Jesus name. Amen.”