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
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.
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.
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 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?
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!
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
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