OPEN HEAVENS FOR 6TH MAY 2026

TOPIC: SECRETS TO LONGEVITY III

MEMORISE:

“Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” — 2 Timothy 2:22

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READ: Genesis 39:10-13 (KJV)

10. And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
12. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
13. And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth,

MESSAGE:

Over the past two days, I have discussed the importance of knowing when to hide and when to fight as key secrets to longevity. Today, I will be discussing another secret to longevity: knowing the times to run.

When you go through the Scriptures carefully, you will understand that part of the identity of God’s children is that they are wise and strong. For example, 1 John 4:4 says that greater is He that is in us (God) than he that is in the world (the devil), which shows exactly how powerful we are as believers.

However, when it comes to dealing with sin, especially lust, today’s memory verse says that we are not just to run away, but we are to flee! The anointing doesn’t work on lust, which means that, no matter how strong or anointed you are, the only thing that works is to flee!

You might be asking yourself, with all the anointing on Daddy G.O. and the great amount of time he has spent with God, does he still flee from lust? The answer is, Yes. In fact, I even flee more now than I used to when I was a younger Christian. This is because I understand that whoever is in a race needs to run faster towards the end so as to win the prize.

Lust, however, is not the only sin we are to flee from; we must also flee from all kinds of sins. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says that you should abstain from every appearance of evil.

This means that the moment something seems evil, you should stay away from it. For instance, if a group of people around you seem to be interested in evil, you should stay away from them.

Psalm 1:1 says that you are not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful. You can greet them and preach to them, but do not befriend them.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”

Beloved, if you want to succeed in the race God has set before you, you must flee from all sins and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.

KEY POINT:
Flee anything that has an appearance of evil.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 24-26

HYMN 34: YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION

1. Yield not to temptation,
   For yielding is sin;
   Each victory will help you
   Some other to win;
   Fight manfully onward,
   Dark passions subdue;
   Look ever to Jesus,
   He’ll carry you through.

Chorus:
Ask the Saviour to help you,
Comfort, strengthen, and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.

2. Shun evil companions,
   Bad language disdain;
   God’s name hold in reverence,
   Nor take it in vain;
   Be thoughtful and earnest,
   Kindhearted and true;
   Look ever to Jesus,
   He’ll carry you through.

3. To him that o’ercometh,
   God giveth a crown;
   Through faith we will conquer,
   Though often cast down;
   He who is our Savior,
   Our strength will renew;
   Look ever to Jesus,
   He’ll carry you through.

FRESH DEVOTIONAL COMMENTARY

Based on Open Heavens 6th May 2026 – “Secrets to Longevity III”

Introduction: Three Responses, Three Situations

Over the past three days, Pastor Adeboye has given us a complete framework for longevity in God’s service:

Today’s devotional focuses on the third secret: knowing when to run. This is the most counterintuitive for many believers. We want to be strong. We want to stand our ground. But when it comes to sin, God’s command is not to stand – it is to run.

The Anointing Doesn’t Work on Lust

This is one of the most startling statements in today’s devotional: “The anointing doesn’t work on lust.”

Think about what this means. You can be the most anointed man or woman of God on earth. You can preach to thousands. You can heal the sick. You can raise the dead. But when lust comes knocking, your anointing will not protect you if you stay in its presence.

Look at the biblical evidence:

• David – a man after God’s own heart, anointed king, mighty warrior. He did not flee from Bathsheba. He stayed on his rooftop, watched, sent for her, and fell into adultery and murder.

• Solomon – the wisest man who ever lived, builder of God’s temple. He did not flee from foreign women. He clung to them, and his heart turned from God, and his kingdom was torn apart.

• Samson – supernaturally strong, set apart from birth as a Nazirite. He did not flee from Delilah. He lingered until his strength left him, his eyes were gouged out, and he died in captivity.

These were not weak men. These were giants of faith. But their anointing did not stop the destruction when they lingered instead of fleeing.

Daddy Adeboye confesses openly: people might ask if he still flees from lust despite his age and anointing. His answer is Yes. In fact, he flees more now than when he was a younger Christian.

Why? Because the closer you get to the finish line, the faster you must run. The enemy saves his best traps for the final stretch.

Joseph: The Perfect Model of Fleeing

The Bible reading gives us the hero of today’s lesson: Joseph.

Consider his situation:

• Young, handsome, healthy

• Far from family and accountability

• In a position of authority and trust

• Alone in the house with a powerful, persistent woman

• Approached day after day, repeatedly

How did Joseph respond? He did not:

• Stay to argue with her about morality

• Try to reason with her about why it was wrong

• Trust his anointing to protect him

• Think he was “strong enough” to resist this time

He ran. He left his garment in her hand and fled.

That garment was probably valuable. It may have been a sign of his position in Potiphar’s house. But Joseph understood: better to lose a coat than to lose your destiny.

Some people might look at his fleeing as cowardice. They might say, “Why didn’t he stand and rebuke her in the name of the Lord?” Because that is not how you fight lust. The anointing doesn’t work on lust. Only running works.

What Else We Must Flee From

While the devotional focuses heavily on lust, the principle extends much further:

1. Every appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

The moment something seems evil, you are to stay away from it. Do not test the waters. Do not see how close you can get without sinning. If it looks like evil, smells like evil, or sounds like evil – flee.

This means:

• If a movie has even a hint of immorality, do not watch it.

• If a conversation is turning to gossip, leave.

• If a website shows a suggestive image, close it instantly.

• Don’t “check it out to see if it’s really that bad.” Flee.

2. Evil companions (Psalm 1:1)

The psalmist gives a progression of compromise:

• Walk in the counsel of the ungodly – just listening, considering their advice

• Stand in the way of sinners – stopping, engaging, being present

• Sit in the seat of the scornful – full fellowship with those who mock God

Each step is deeper into danger. The wise person avoids the first step entirely.

Daddy Adeboye gives practical advice: “You can greet them and preach to them, but do not befriend them.” You can have contact with unbelievers for the purpose of evangelism. But you cannot have intimate fellowship, close friendship, or covenant partnership with those who love evil. Light and darkness have no fellowship.

3. Unequal yokes (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)

Do not be bound together with unbelievers. This applies to:

• Marriage – a believer marrying an unbeliever is a direct violation of this command

• Business partnerships – sharing ownership or control with someone who does not share your values

• Close associations – the people you rely on for counsel, accountability, and support

As the devotional asks: “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

Why Fleeing Is Not Cowardice

Some believers struggle with this concept. They have been taught that faith never retreats. They believe that if they are truly spiritual, they should be able to stand in the fire and not burn.

This is a dangerous deception.

• Lot – when Sodom was about to be destroyed, the angels did not tell him to stand and fight. They dragged him out of the city (Genesis 19:16).

• Jesus – when He taught about temptation, He said if your eye offends you, pluck it out; if your hand offends you, cut it off (Matthew 5:29-30). He was emphasizing radical amputation from sin.

• The Holy Spirit – through Paul, does not say “resist lust” or “stand against lust.” He says flee (2 Timothy 2:22).

Fleeing is not weakness. It is wisdom. It is obedience. It is the path to longevity.

How to Flee Effectively

If you want to finish your race and not fall before the finish line, here is how to practice fleeing:

1. Recognize your weakness

Stop pretending you are stronger than you are. The most anointed men in Scripture fell when they lingered. You are not more anointed than David, Solomon, or Samson. Admit your vulnerability and flee before the temptation becomes overwhelming.

2. Cut off access

If certain situations lead you into sin, stop going there. If certain people tempt you, limit your contact. If certain media stirs lust, delete it. Fleeing means removing the opportunity for sin to find you.

3. Run toward something better

2 Timothy 2:22 does not only tell you what to flee from – it tells you what to run toward:

• Righteousness

• Faith

• Love (charity)

• Peace

And it tells you who to run with: “them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

You cannot run from sin into a vacuum. You must run into the presence of God and into the company of godly people.

4. Flee faster at the end

Daddy Adeboye’s personal testimony is instructive. He flees more now than when he was younger. As you get closer to the finish line, the enemy works harder to trip you. Run faster. Be more vigilant. Do not let down your guard.

The Cost of Not Fleeing

The devotional implies the consequences of staying when you should run:

When you do not flee, you will eventually fall. It is not a matter of if, but when. Temptation resisted repeatedly still wears down resistance. The only guarantee of safety is to run.

Connecting the Three Secrets

Now we have the complete picture of longevity:

You fight the devil, but you flee from sin. You stand against the enemy, but you run from lust.

Conclusion: Run for Your Life

Joseph ran and became prime minister of Egypt. He lost his coat but gained a destiny. If he had stayed, he would have lost both.

What will you lose if you stay when you should run?

• Your marriage?

• Your ministry?

• Your testimony?

• Your life?

Run. Flee. Get out. And run toward righteousness, faith, love, peace, and the company of pure-hearted believers.

The finish line is ahead. Run faster. Do not look back. Do not linger. Do not negotiate with temptation. Run for your life – and for your crown.

Prayer for Today:

Father, give me the wisdom to know when to run. Forgive me for the times I have lingered in temptation, thinking I was strong enough to resist. I renounce pride and self-confidence. I choose to flee from lust, from evil companions, from every appearance of evil. Help me to run faster as I approach the finish line. Lead me to those who call on You with a pure heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Action Points for the Week:

1. Identify your temptation zones – What situations, people, or media consistently lead you toward sin? Write them down honestly.

2. Cut them off – This week, take practical steps to remove or limit access to these temptation zones. Do not negotiate with them. Delete, block, unfriend, or avoid as needed.

3. Find pure-hearted companions – Identify believers who genuinely pursue righteousness and spend more time with them. Join a prayer group or Bible study.

4. Practice fleeing – The next time you feel the pull of temptation, physically remove yourself from the situation. Do not wait. Do not argue. Do not “just look one more time.” Run.

5. Run faster as you age – If you have walked with God for many years, do not become complacent. Increase your vigilance. The enemy targets the seasoned saints near the finish line.

6. Memorize 2 Timothy 2:22 – Write it on a card. Put it on your mirror. Say it aloud every morning.