1 John 2:16 ESV --- For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Yesterday was focused on the command/warning to not love the world and things of it. Today dove into what those things are that try so desperately to ensnare our love and focus from God.
Lusts/Desires of the Flesh
Lusts/Desires of the Eyes
Pride of Life
What I love about God's word here is he doesn't just say, "Hey watch out for loving the world, that's bad. So good luck with that." He dives deeper into what the three most base things are that desperately claw and scratch for our attention, time, and love.
I think it's important to note something I read in Wiersbe's Commentary about these three things too. Here's what it says:
"God has given man [and woman] certain desires, and these desires are good. Hunger, thirst, weariness, and sex are not at all evil in themselves. There is nothing wrong about eating, drinking, sleeping, or begetting children. But when the flesh nature controls them, they become sinful lusts [desires]."
Now, as I read this verse again, I was reminded of when I studied the book of Genesis. Specifically, the fall of Adam and Eve. In it we have the single greatest example of all three of these worldly traps in one place… When Eve is deceived into eating the fruit of the only tree in the whole place they weren't supposed to touch.
Please note this is not some diatribe against Eve coming. My thoughts on this are, "Adam, where were you in this man!!?? What could have possibly been more important than being there for your wife and telling that serpent to take a hike!!??" Okay that's out of the way, now take a look at the verse for an example of all three worldly things that led to the fall.
Genesis 3:6 --- So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (LUST OF FLESH), and that it was a delight to the eyes (LUST OF EYES), and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise (PRIDE OF LIFE), she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Once the serpent pulled the whole 'INCEPTION' move (movie reference! LOL) and planted the idea in her head, she took over from there. The lust of her flesh told her it would be some good food. Yum-Yum for my Tum-Tum. The lust of her eyes told her it was delightful and beautiful looking. Then the pride of life brought it all together. This is going to make me better, smarter, wiser, I'm going to be like God even. She eats. Then of course Adam shows up to eat some food. Us men are good at appearing when food is brought out. Joking aside poor Eve was lied to, then her husband wasn't where he should be, side by side with her, while she grapples with the three base level worldly traps. I know it says Adam was with her, but he was ABSENT in all ways that mattered.
I had the image of that single piece of fruit being sliced into three pieces. Each piece of it... good for my flesh, good to my eyes, good to raise me up... just tempting, drawing, calling to Eve… and calling to us this very day.
What's the solution? Well, the Lord leads me over to Galatians 5:16-23. If you've read this far, please don't skip over the verses below. They are vitally important.
Galatians 5:16-23 ESV --- 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
We can only walk by the Spirit if we're focused on the Lord and building relationship with Him daily. We must be intentional in choosing every day to focus on him, to build relationship with Him. To trust Him, to lean not on our understanding but acknowledge Him in every single area of our lives, then look to Him for the next step on the path He'll make straight for us.
Where do you choose to focus your time, attention and love today?
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