Stop using 2 Timothy 2:22 to tell single Christians about sex.

2 Timothy 2:22 has nothing to do with sex.

"Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22

Read verse 23 for context.
"Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. " 2 Timothy 2:22

Paul was talking around getting into useless arguments. This is something young people like to do. It has NOTHING to do with sex. You can use other verses, but NOT this one. Besides you cannot FLEE from a desire within you. You may control it, but you cannot flee from it.

Those who believe in "free will" would say that nothing inhibits their free ability to choose to do, or flee, from anything they so desire. It's all up to them . . . they're in total control (and God is not).

Well, based on experience and observation, I think it is very obvious that illicit sexual desires are among the evil desires of youth. For some youth, the desire to get drunk might fall into that category as well.

You have pointed out how the sex drive is stronger at younger ages.

Paul wouldn't have said to flee if you couldn't do it.

It's not a physical fleeing... although, going for a jog might not be a bad idea... but no, you flee to God. Like Jesus, when he was on the earth crying out to God to save him. You trust in God to deliver you out of evil, and he does. That's how you do it.

Let's say you have this God-given desire to feel empowered; but rather than seek God, you MURDER someone (like moses). That murder will temporarily fulfill your desire, so your your desire for empowerment (which isnt bad on it's own) is perverted into a desire for MURDER. God can can change those evil desires, so that you no longer seek fulfillment by murdering people.

With respect to sexual immorality, God can change the desire to use fornication for emotional and physical fulfillments.

OR lets say it's not a matter of heart; lets say you are resolved to only have marital sexual relations: you can still be tempted to fornication to resolve sexual tension and arousal. (Some people are even tempted to -and do- kill themselves to resolve that tension: I cannot imagine what it would be like to have REGS and carry on life that way) I believe that God WILL ABSOLUTELY PROVIDE a way to escape ANY temptation to take a path that takes us out of tribulation or difficulty and into sin- even if that way to escape is enduring the suffering or being thrown into the fiery furnace, Jesus has been in both places already, and will be there with us too.

why do you think Paul told those in Corint to get married? They may flee the temple, but not the desires of sex.

Flee fornication, and get married if you need to.

Let's set @JohnB up so he doesn't keep posting threads like this to vent. JohnB, looks don't matter do they? That would make matching you up a whole lot easier. You can turn the light out, after all.

Looks are very important. everyone has their own ideas on what they are attracted to. Unfortunately I've met many Christians who think if you're both Christians, nothing else matters.

Yes, that's true. Looks don't matter if you aren't me.

LOL

It is a natural thing for young adults to be attracted to one another. It becomes a sin when lust enters in.

Because they lacked self-control.

The Greek word for lust is just a strong desire, neither good or bad, just a desire.
Paul addresses the distinction between the married and the unmarried and states that sexual fulfillment is a primary reason for marriage:

Paul is saying that, even though singleness is his preference, it is not wrong to marry. In fact, for those with strong sexual urges, it is better to marry than to be consumed by unfulfilled desire.