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| All That Is In The World |
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2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 2:16 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. 2:17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever. The very first of the 10 Commandments is found in Exodus 20:3 that says: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." God wants us to understand that our first devotion is to Him and to nothing else in this world. The word "world" is "Kosmos" which means literally the orderly arrangement of things, but can be better understood as the world system. The Bible teaches us the Satan is the god of this world. That he is the Prince and Power of the Air. The world hated Jesus Christ and Jesus told us not to be surprised if the world hates you too because of your love for Christ. James 4:4 says, that "friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God." Those are strong words, but what we need to understand is that we are not of this world. We are sojourners, strangers and aliens to this world and to make yourself at home in this world is absolutely offensive to God. The Apostle John explains in this passage of scripture that all that is in the world is "not of God the Father" which means it is of the Devil. All that is in the world falls into these three categories. 1. The lust of the flesh. 2. The lust of the eyes. 3. The pride of life.
The lust of the flesh is that which we desire to fulfill the cravings of our earthly bodies. We all have a need to eat, sleep, drink, procreate etc...but the lusts of the flesh is to live to fulfill those needs. Since I am overweight I will pick on myself for a moment. Many of us live to eat instead of eating to live. We constantly are a slave to our appetites and can't say no, even though you know you don't need it, but you love the way it makes you feel. So rather than denying yourself and making your body your slave you become a slave to your body. This works in the area of our sexuality, in our desire to drink alcohol, and being lazy and sleeping too much or too long.
The lust of the eyes is envy and greed. You see it and you want it. You have to have it, and will do what is necessary to get it. Two quick Biblical examples of this is Eve. Remember when she "saw that the fruit of the tree was pleasant to the eyes?" It created in her all kinds of desires, and Satan used those emotions against her. There was a man in the Battle of Jericho named Achan, who "saw the Babylonian garments and the gold, he coveted and he took" eventually bringing destruction on himself and his family. Jesus stressed to his disciples that if your "eye offends you pluck it out", because it is better that you enter Heaven blind than destroying your life because you can't control that wandering eye! Thou shalt not covet says the Lord. But it is human nature is to want what you see. Why do you think we like TV commercials so much?
The pride of life is the part of the human nature that says "look at me." I am smart, I am important, I can do this or that, everyone look at what I have accomplished! God is clear that we can do nothing without and apart from him. The Psalmist asks "Why do the heathen rage and plot a vain thing?" Jesus tells a parable about the man who had a bumper crop one year and was so pleased with himself, he said, "I am going to tear down my barns and build new barns. I will say to myself, "Soul thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease and eat drink and be merry" Jesus called him a "fool" because he would die that night and then what? God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. The sin that heads the list of things that God hates is a "proud look."
No wonder God says that he does not want us to love the world. How could we? It is opposed to everything that God is and what He stands for. This world is flashy, it is appealing, it is sexy, it is alluring in so many ways on so many levels, but it has no place in the Christian heart. Yes, we have to live in this world, but we definitely don't have to be like the world or enjoy the world system. The world is kind of like second hand smoke to the Christian. It infects you, and gets on you, but you don't have to be the one puffing the cigarette! This world is temporary and it is winding down. This world is passing away, but those that do the will of God, those that love Him with all of their hearts, soul, mind and strength and their neighbors as their selves those are the ones that live and reign forever! This world is not your friend, and definitely does not need to be your lover. "Come out from among them and be separate says the Lord and touch not the unclean thing." Be holy as He is Holy. "Thou hast shown thee oh man what is good and what the Lord requires of you. But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
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| To add a comment to "All That Is In The World " |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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| I like being an alien :) But, I do know it's a daily process, one that I can't do alone and God is still refining and sometimes reconstructing me. The world holds alot of charms.........I have to resist. |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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POWERFUL WORD....A right now word! I give you an extra star (smile) ;o) |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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| An extra star......LOL....LOL God bless you my brother! |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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Wow. This is powerful. Would you tell me if get proud? I mean it. |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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| Amen. The world has nothing eternal to offer. This is a good way to look at the big picture... |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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Brother Todd you have outdone yourself on this one, or God has through you. Awesome Word - love it! |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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My first blog read this june was a winner! Great lessons Todd -- well written. You have much wisdom to share. It is easy for me to agree fully with what you've written, but another thing to live it in the trenches Mon-Sat. I've made great strides from where I once was, so I enter the trenches optimistically. God bless! |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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| I am blessed to have such loving friends as y'all. Your comments and encouragement lets me know that God is still using me and to me that is the greatest blessing of all. |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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Great Blog, My Brother!
God has provided so much for our enjoyment. The word says 'my boundary lines are laid in pleasant places.' Where we get into trouble is when we cross those boundary lines to obtain things he has not provided for us. That's when when we become ensnared in the deadly triangle; lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life.
Temperance is one of the fruits of the spirit, and it's sole purpose is to keep you out of the triangle--but it has to be activated in the life of the believer. It is a simple choice to activate temperance when you are within the Father's boundary lines--but once you step past them, then you've got a struggle on your hands.
Blessings to you for this great word! |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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| Birdie, you are so right about that! Self-control/temperance is a fruit of the Spirit that we don't hear much about do we? If we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Great insight Birdie, you are always a welcome addition to the discussion! |
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| June 01, 2008 |
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These sins that so easily beset us, can ensnare us, are conquerable by us trusting and obeying the will of the Father. We can so easily get caught up in this things, but he always gives us a way of escape, and I praise God that he loves me the way I am. Thank you son, for pointing out those snares, and the way of escape. I love you Toddles, and your wonderful wife Anna and the children. therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord for as long as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord! AMEN
Keep June 10 in your prayers, Amy-Beth with be having her baby in Bangkok, Thailand by c section. Love you my boy, Mom or Grandma14 |
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| June 02, 2008 |
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| THIS ROCKS!!!! |
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