Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17
1 John was written to Christians—likely one or more churches in the region of Asia Minor, probably around Ephesus. The letter does not name a specific church or individual recipient, so it is often classified as a general or “universal” letter. One of the great challenges in any Christian's life is to not yield to our old nature and its desires. As John wrote there is not wiggle room with respect to the devotion of our hearts. Your heart is either fully devoted to God or it is not.
And when God had removed King Saul, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will. - Acts 13:22
I have heard people describe David as loving God with his whole heart and yet, as you know, David sinned. He was but a man who struggled with his flesh as we all do. But I suspect you are like David and are a man or woman after God's own heart and are not content with walking with sin in your heart. Like Psalm 51 where David asked God to create in him a clean heart after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan over David's sin with Bathsheba and send her husband Uriah to his death on the battlefield. Not that we would not like to be able to hide our sin - but God sees the heart.
People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. - 1 Samuel 16:7
After Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness, where he fasted for 40 days and nights. The devil then tested him with three temptations (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life)
1. Turn stones into bread — Jesus refused to use his power for himself, replying, “Man shall not live on bread alone.”
2. Throw himself from the temple — Jesus refused to test God, saying, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
3. Worship the devil in exchange for worldly kingdoms — Jesus rejected power gained through disobedience: “Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.”
Jesus responded with the Word of God in each instance.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Just like Jesus - when we are tempted we must respond with the Sword of the Spirit - the Word of God.
Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:11
I remember two Indiana Jones movies. In the first - Indy was facing a man with a huge sword when he remembered he had a gun so he shot the guy. In the second movie he faced another man, Indy smiled and reached for his gun, but his holster was empty. Think of both of those men as temptation and the gun as the Word of God. And as the old American Express commercial would say with respect to the Word of God - "Don't leave home without it!"
Think about it – Pray about it - Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
No comments:
Post a Comment