1 John 2:16 “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.”
I read how this well-known passage identifies three fountainheads of ungodly power that will, if unchecked and unguarded, ensnare a believer into a sinful lifestyle. To set the foundation of truth for understanding, we must first define “the world”. The three adversary of God is the flesh, the world and the devil. The world refers to the God-rejecting world system that rejects and is hostile towards God’s holy and just Word, Will and Way because of self-centered sin.
Sensual power (lust of the flesh) is a body-oriented and emotion-driven reaction to fleshly appetites that can never please God and is in constant warfare with the Spirit of God (see Galatians 5:17). We are told to “flee” these “youthful lusts” that are a corruption of the fearfully and wonderfully made, God-designed human body. Visual power (lust of the eyes) is an intellect-oriented and imagination-driven stimulation of wishful thinking that will take control of behavior if not carefully curtailed by walking in the spirit. Although impacting men more than women, this kind of lust will conceive sin instead of merely reacting to it. Personal power (the pride of life) is a self-oriented and ego-driven desire for dominance that has no ethic or limiting factor other than the praise of men, not God. Such pride, dominated by the “natural mind” and a deceitful heart, spirals into a self-love that twists and distorts human behavior into a litany of ungodliness that loves pleasure rather than God. Do you see this hedonism around you today?
Hebrews 11:25 “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”
Giving in to these “worldly” powers may grant us pleasures for a season, but will surely make us an enemy of God” and God must punish sin. May our Lord Jesus grant that we stay armed against such deceit, covered and protected with the whole armor of God”. There are spiritual battles being waged in a war for your heart, mind and soul. Do not be deceived or distracted by the three worldly powers tempting each and every one of us. Be aware, then beware. Walk in the Spirit and keep your eyes upon Jesus, our Savior and Lord.
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