1 John 2:15-17 "The Pull of the World"

Read 1 John 2:15-17.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world." NIV

If we are to love God and walk with Him in His light and if we are to follow His commands from a heart focused on His love and surrender to Him, then we cannot love the world. John lists the things "of the world": 

"the cravings of the sinful man": These cravings would include desires that would satisfy the flesh but which do not honor God -- adultery, drunkenness, drugs, gluttony, rape, incest, rioting, etc. These actions are against God's laws and do not bring Him honor. 

"the lust of his eyes": This would include lusting after another sexually, coveting objects or position, all envy. Anything that would draw us away from God and focus our attention on craving personal gain that we don't have.

"the boasting of what he has and does": Rather self-explanatory -- pride. Placing your self-worth in your own accomplishments and possessions rather in the fact that you are a child of God and making sure everyone knows what you have and have done.

All three points -- the things of the world -- center on selfishness. It's all about me. Oh, when following this path, how close we come to mirroring Lucifer when we wanted to be equal with God. If it's all about me, then I am my own god and the "love of the Father is not in" me.

But this stuff here - the temporary pleasures - all lead to the same path eventually: pain and destruction, either in this life or the next. But if we keep our focus on God and His will, we will live FOREVER with Him. The choice to me seems simple. 

Precious Lord, help me to never forget the clear path you have laid out and why. Protect me, Holy Spirit, from the lusts of the world that pull on me. I desire nothing else but to serve You and You alone. Open the eyes of those who have not made that choice and use me to lead them to You.

Further Thoughts:

1. What is the pull of the world? Why is the enemy so successful -- even among professing Christians?
   
2. Would a consciousness of Satan's involvement behind the lusts of the world make them repulsive to those who continually succumb to its pull? How do we help others see the evil behind the desire without appearing judgmental and condemning?
   
3. Look up other passages on the Lusts of the World. 

Matthew 5:27-30 "Guarded"

Read Matthew 5:27-30.

I may not be the best person to be speaking on this subject and if I see a bunch of people walking around without a hand or eye, I’ll really know that I caused more confusion than clarity. So we’ll begin with a basic understanding that adultery is a sin. Period. The Jews of that time would have understood that law. But now Jesus is saying that even looking at another person lustfully is the same as committing adultery. I know as a woman, I have turned my head to look at a good-looking man. Just to appreciate his beauty, of course. But lust is taking it a step further encompassing yearning or a desire to possess.

Now Jesus views this very seriously – to the point of telling you to rid yourself of the offending part of your body so you will remember to not do it again. I know the area of lust can be problem for women, but it is ten times harder for men. And in a society that dresses skimpily, flaunts sexuality, and rampantly exhibits pornography in movies, print, and the Internet, it is not a wonder that men and women are succumbing to the temptations bombarding them. That’s why when Jim and I do marriage retreats, we talk about the eye- and the ear-gate. God calls us to a life of holiness. If we are going to live as Christ lived and respect and honor our marriages and one another, we will guard our eyes and our ears to the best of our ability. We can’t be playing with fire and not expect to get burnt. This is not a game; it’s not a fantasy. People get hurt and lives are changed forever. Don’t go there!!!

I’ll talk about the covenant of marriage tomorrow. For today, choose to give someone’s daughter or son respect by guarding your mind when you look at another person. It’s a matter of heaven and hell.

Further Thoughts:

1. David experienced major consequences that began with lust. Read David and Bathsheba’s story in 2 Samuel 11.
2. Compare and contrast verses on lust with verses on holiness. What standard does God consistently call us to and what steps do we need to take to achieve it?
3. If you struggle with pornography, get help immediately. It can be an addiction that will destroy you and your personal relationships. There is a reason we are to protect our minds.