The 3 Carnal Appetites (Christians Beware!)

1 John 2:16 (KJV)

¹⁶ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

The three carnal appetites according to scripture are:

The lust of the flesh

The lust of the eyes

The pride of life

Lets define them briefly then we will come back to each one.

The lust of the flesh represents the entire realm of pleasure,

entertainment, amusement, and comfort. It includes addictions, movies, sports, television, travel, and all the many kinds of activities people become involved in.

The lust of the eyes describes a person’s intense desire to have something he sees. It usually revolves around the desire for possessions: trendy clothes, the latest technology, a new car, and it can and often does revolve around lusting for some one.

The pride of life is a person’s exaggerated estimate of his own value as a person. An excessive drive to be successful,  to “keep up with the Joneses” or a prideful desire to “be The One!”  An unhealthy drive to get to the top, and make lots of money. The tendency to look down at people.

 Ok.

 Now lets just go back and discuss each one.

The lust of the flesh. 

Wanting to do what others are doing

Wanting to participate in worldly activities

Wanting to experience pleasures you think others are experiencing including amusements, or entertainment.

Certainly not all worldly activities are bad or unwholesome.

Then again, Some are absolutely unwholesome for anyone -let alone the Christian.

You must use discernment. 

How do you be involved with something of pleasure or amusement and “Know” that God is OK with it?

Ask yourself a few good questions before, during and after your participation, (if you proceed!)

How do you honestly feel when you are doing it?

Could you do it if Jesus were sitting right beside you?

Do you sense Jesus’ approval?

How do you feel reading it? 

Do you feel it pulling you into a deep dark place you don’t really want to go?

Is it creating feelings you know you should not have?

How do you feel watching it?

Is it stirring up feelings to want something you don’t have and don't need?

Is it enticing you to sin? 

Is it creating an unhealthy desire?

Are you considering doing something that you know is wrong morally?

Do you feel like it is encouraging you to be a better Christian?

Do you feel bad after doing it, reading it or watching it? 

Do you feel like it is wasting your money and/or your time?

Did you leave feeling more carnal?

The lust of the eyes.

Desiring things. 
Fashion: I understand you don’t want to look or to dress old. 

You want to be a stylish Christian. 

But trendy is NOT always modest or conducive for the Christian. 
One should never compromise modesty just to be trendy.

Wants: Do you feel it is absolutely necessary?

Is it in the budget or are you just trying to keep up with the Joneses?

Desiring some one: Are they where they need to be in God? Are they a Christian? Are they working their way to God? If not, then get out of their way and let find God first!

Are you only attracted physically?

Are they encouraging and insightful?

Do they make you want to love God more?

Do they talk about God, and have plans to work for God?

Do you feel like you could have an “Iron Sharpeneth Iron" relationship with them?

What are your motivates for wanting to know them better?
Are you just wanting attention?

If you don’t feel like a better Christian by having a relationship with them, be it just friendship or emotional….then its not good for you!

If the only thing you feel when you around that person is lust... If the only thing you feel is wanting them to notice you, to like you or to flirt with you, then it is not a God thing! It’s a lust thing!

If the relationship does not draw you closer to God instead it draws you away from God….if you find yourself doing less for God since your involvement with them…then it is not a God thing! 

The pride of life:

You are the best. No one is better.

You are all that and a bag of chips.

You should be the one on the platform…

You should be the one doing this or that…

You will go buy a Toyota because so and so has a Toyota…

You will have the new Iphone 6 because they have the Iphone 6…

Pride. Puffed up. Thinking more of yourself than you ought.

The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life is not of the Father! 

God won’t tease you or tempt you. 

Neither will he approve of involvements or activities that
draw you away from Him! 

This I say then, 

Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.  Galatians 5:16-17