1 John 2:16 - For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world.
As we start a new blog series “Men’s Traps”, we want to tackle the subjects that “trip men up” that keep us from fulfilling God’s plan for our lives. How we can battle against the things that Satan uses to draw us away from God, away from authentic Christian community, and away from influence that God would want us, as men, to have.
Today’s subject, lust. When we think lust, we automatically think sexual desire. But as John describes in the above verse, it can definitely have that element, but there is much more to it.
John here is pointing out three devices to trap Christians: the lust (which is desire) of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
The lust of the flesh includes anything that appeals to man’s fallen nature. The flesh, in this context, doesn’t mean the body, but our basic nature that keeps us blind to spiritual truth.
I think it’s important to understand that God have given us certain desires, which is a good thing.
Hunger, thirst, weariness and sex are not evil by themselves. There is nothing wrong with eating,
drinking, sleeping/rest and having sex. But when our flesh nature starts to control them that is when they become sinful. They become “lusts”.
Hunger is not evil, but gluttony is. Thirst is not evil, but drunkenness is. Sleep/rest is a gift but laziness is sinful. Sex is God’s gift to us, but when we use it wrongly (sinfully) it becomes immorality.
The world will advertise and try to convince you to indulge, it looks to appeal to your normal appetites (that are God given) and tries to tempt you to satisfy those in sinful and forbidden ways.
The lust of the eyes (remember, the eyes are the gateway to your mind) and the pride of life (desiring the adoration of others), coupled with the lust of the flesh are ways the world, and our enemy, try to take over our life with the goal of losing our enjoyment of God’s love and the desire to do His will.
So be on guard men, remember that God has given us good desires to be enjoyed, but the world will want us to use them in evil, self-gratifying ways. Shift your eyes from lusting after self-indulgence and give praise to God for the gift of these desires and use them as God has intended.
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