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We live in a great country. We’re typically able to get whatever we need or want at any time. We can eat as much as we want, buy as much as we want, live where ever we want, go where ever we want or worship however we want. Our freedoms in this country seem endless.
How many of you dream of a new house, new car? How many of you focus on your next vacation, a new job, more money or even a new relationship? How many of you consider a phone upgrade when your old phone is functional or new clothes when what you have is sufficient? It’s natural to desire things….or is it?
Jesus said, in 1 John 2:15-16, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. “
But the world is God’s creation and everything He made is good! Yes, but Jesus is commanding us to not love the world or the things in the world. He says, that if we do, the love of the Father is not in us. That’s a pretty serious statement. He further explains the things in the world we are not to love.
1) The lust of the flesh…. The Bible says in Galations 5:24, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with it passions and desires”. When we control these, we are controlling our emotions and our “wants”. We are putting our flesh under the control of God and not doing whatever we want, only what God wants.
2) The lust of the eyes…. Lusting with our eyes is desiring things we look at. When we lust with our eyes, we are desiring it so much that we “have to have it”. These thoughts have a tendency to consume our minds Phil 4:8 tells us instead to focus on the things of God, “Finally brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- mediate on these things.
3) The pride of life... The pride of life is a heart issue, a heart of arrogance, boasting, presumption… anything which gives you confidence in your own resources. Lucifer was thrown out of heave because he was prideful. Thinking we can do anything on our own, without God will never go well for us. Psalm 37:3 “Trust in the Lord and do good, Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness”. Our Lord is faithful to take care of us when we trust in Him.
Yes, God did provide everything that is good! And he said we could have what we say. He also said He would give us the desires of our heart. The important thing is that we are not bound by these things and the desires for them, but we are to be bound to God and his will only. Our first desire must be God and God alone, He says he is a jealous God. First and foremost, He wants a love relationship between us and himself. If we love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, we can trust that He will provide us with everything we want and desire. So don’t desire the world and the things it has to offer. They are fleeting and won’t last. Desire a love relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God’s promise to you is in Matthew 6:33. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things SHALL be added to you:”.