1 John 2:15-16 Love not the world,
neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love
of the Father is not in him. 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.
What the Apostle John was referring to in this verse is the
carnal mind, which is affected by our five senses. They are also the doorway or
gates that Satan uses to tempt and deceive us.
Lust of the flesh
– touching, tasting, feeing and smelling
Lust of the eyes –
seeing
Pride of life – believing
you are more special because of who are, because of your testimony, what you
have accomplished, what you have built, what you have done for God, your
calling, etc.
Satan uses these three through the carnal mind to deceive
and tempt us into bondage to sin. There are many examples in the Bible. Here are
just two to start with.
Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden.
·
Genesis
2:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for
food, that it was pleasant to
the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she
took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food - lust of
the flesh - that it was pleasant to the eyes - lust of
the eyes - and a tree desirable to make one
wise - pride of life - she
took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
We are still seeing the fruit of Adam and Eve’s disobedience
to God today. Thankfully, Jesus came to ransom us from the sting of sin and
death! We will one day receive our glorified bodies that will be sin resistant!
No more tears!
Jesus on the Mount of Temptation.
·
Matthew
4:3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God,
command that these stones become bread.” - lust of the flesh
·
Matthew
4:8-9 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and
showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. - lust of
the eyes
·
Matthew
4:5-6 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the
pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw
Yourself down. For it is written:
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ - pride of life
‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ - pride of life
Jesus modeled the way were are to overcome the temptations
of the devil and the sway of his world. Through the power of the Holy Ghost and
the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, we can successfully and
victoriously resist the devil and he must flee from us. Jesus did it this way
and so can we!
Jesus Himself said if we chased after wealth and riches that
we were servant to that which has captured our attention.
·
Luke
16:13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one
and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.”
There is nothing wrong with wealth, but when it becomes the
main focus or object of our affection we are headed into murky waters.
·
Mark 4:19
“and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness
of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it
becomes unfruitful.
Plain and simple. If the vision you have is to obtain and
amass great wealth for the gospel is causing the Word to be unfruitful in your
life, then I would advise you to revisit the vision. Was it birthed out of a
heart of compromise? It may have been because God doesn’t need us to help Him
save anyone. He is God. He doesn’t need our help. We think we are God’s little
helpers. He doesn’t need little helpers.
·
Song 2:15
Catch us the foxes, the
little foxes that spoil
the vines, for our vines have tender
grapes.
You feel that you have a special grace to keep a couple of
harmless little foxes that spoil the vine for pets? That’s compromise. You’re
going to church. You’re fasting. You’re giving money. You’re ministering. You
are doing all things, but there seems to be something holding you back from
being fruitful for the Lord. You feel like you are doing everything you know to
do and that there should be more fruit than you are seeing in your life, but it’s
just not there. Frustrated? Mad at God?
Get rid of the little foxes. Blame them. They are eating
your fruit. They are consuming your harvest.
An observation: grapes make wine, new wine, which is
symbolic of the anointing of God, the Spirit of God, etc. The little foxes will
rob you of your anointing.
·
Matthew
6:32-33 “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly
Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Our vision must be birthed out of our pursuit for the
kingdom of God and His righteousness. As we pursue His kingdom and His
righteousness. Notice He said to “first”
seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Then in the process of seeking
Him “first” all things will be added
to us.
Get your identity from who you are to God and not what you
do for Him. Get your identity from being a son or daughter and not from the
possessions you have or from what you don’t have. Possessions, material things
and even gifts and callings will pass away so don’t get your identity from
these things. Get your identity from who you are to God. If you make this your
primary goal, to receive your identity from who you are to God and not what you
have, you will be with the Lord for all eternity. If you get your identity from
your possessions, accomplishments or deeds in life…it will eventually pass away
with them.
1 Timothy 6:3-11 If
anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing
nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which
come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of
corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who
suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great
gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry
nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But
those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts
which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root
of all kinds of evil, for which some have
strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with
many sorrows. But you, O man of God,
flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,
gentleness.
Father,
Give me eyes to see with and ears to hear with. I want to only do what
I see You doing and only say what I hear You saying Father; that I may be
pleasing in Your sight and the sight of all men.
In Jesus name. Amen.
In Christ,
Samuel
Smashing Pillars….raising
sons
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