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Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, and Pride give Death but Repentance - Life

Lust is most commonly associated with unrestrained sexual desires. Nevertheless, in its general use it applies to all areas of obsessive desire. It could be thirst for power, knowledge, or worldly possessions, which fill our daily thoughts in an unhealthy manner – causing us to pursue such things no matter the cost – many times creating a wave of pain and consequence.

We have our first example of lust and consequence in the book of Genesis with Adam and Eve.

“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 and he ate.”  Genesis 3:6 – and the rest, as they say, is history.

There is nothing wrong with eating when we are hungry or wanting to be wise – God makes provision for hunger, and he gave us a brain that we are expected to use. The problem lies in when we allow these basic needs to lead us to sin by seeking provision from a source that God has warned us to stay away from regardless of our circumstance.

Since that day in the Garden of Eden, nothing has changed. We read in the book of 1 John, where the Apostle John speaks this same warning to the church of his day, to us, and those who will come after us.

“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

Clearly, this passage refers to loving the world system and has nothing to do with the people who are in the world.

When Adam and Eve put their desires above trust and obedience toward God, it cost them the immediate death of their spirit – and ultimately the death of their physical bodies.

They believed the twisted lies of the father of this world, who is Satan, instead of trusting that God had a good reason for telling them not to eat of this particular tree. They convinced themselves that God was holding back good from them, so they took it upon themselves to gratify their temporary hunger and their pride.

Every one of us is guilty of this in one way or another at different times of our lives. If we have never fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, by true and humble repentance, we are walking around spiritually dead – awaiting judgment and eternal damnation. However, if we have surrendered our lives and admitted our need for Jesus, then we have temporary separation from fellowship with God when we are in a state of rebellion.

It is better to seek forgiveness and turn from our pride so that we may have fellowship with God. Not only in this life, but for all eternity.

Chapter six of the book of Proverbs tells us there are seven things the LORD hates; they are an abomination to Him.

“These six things the LORD hates, Yes seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among the brethren.” Proverbs 6: 16-19

I don’t believe it is a coincidence that pride is the first thing mentioned on the list.  It is also interesting to note that all that follows on this list have their beginnings in lust.

Lust breeds jealousy and jealousy leads to hurting others by spreading lies and rumors – or worse, it can lead to evil and wicked thoughts of adultery, abuse, and murder.

Pride in its worldly form says, I can have whatever I want when I want it. It is a me first attitude – it is the world system – it is our society. All we have to do is look around, maybe even in the mirror to see it.

So what is the solution? Is there a healthy sense of pride that God requires of us? The answer is yes. The Apostle Paul tells us that if we are to boast in anything, it is to boast in what the Lord has done for us. Jesus said, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all our needs and sometimes desires, will be given to us in due time for our good.

Wait on God; trust in his goodness and he will give us all we need. There is no need to lie, cheat, or steal to get what we want.

May we continually examine our hearts, asking the Lord to reveal the areas of our lives were we may be living in unhealthy wanting (lust) and unhealthy pride. This kind of prayer will always be answered with a resounding yes!

The only remaining question is what will we choose to do with what God shows us.

I pray we will humble ourselves and repent. I pray we will not let lust and pride keep us from eternal life in heaven. Let’s not buy into the lie that tells us our good will outweigh our bad. The devil would have us think that a loving God will overlook our sin and invite us into heaven on our merits. The death and resurrection of Jesus answers this question for us.

Repentance and turning away from sinful behavior is the only thing that will cause God to breathe life into our spirit giving us full assurance of a home in Heaven.

As John the Baptist once said, repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. Repentance is a lifestyle not a one-time event.

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe as you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

© Teresa Ortiz – World Wide Bible Studies. All rights reserved 2009

» left by Cal (3 years 336 days ago.)

This is such a well written article on this topic. I often feel heavy and condemned when reading writings on this, but you have a great way of relating this to trust. "They convinced themselves that God was holding back good from them, so they took it upon themselves to gratify their temporary hunger and their pride." This explains it exactly, and gives us a good perspective on the fact that it is truly an issue of trusting God to the fullest to supply all of our needs.

 

Thank you!

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» left by Anonymous (3 years 331 days ago.)

Hi Cal, thanks for the comment. The bottom line is trust and finding the balance between self-centered pride verses Christ-centered pride.

God gives many gifts and talents and we would not be glorifying God if we didn't take advantage of them and use them for good in their fullest potential. If we have been blessed with "stuff" and money, it is not a sin to rejoice in it, only a sin to hoard and not share as he calls us to.

Blessings, Teresa

 

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» left by Rhonda Jean from Spangle,Washington (3 years 299 days ago.)

I truely enjoy all your articals ,you are so good in writting, all ways wanted to learn how to write, your incredable. and thank you so much for the words you share that help keep me hangin on in this life, your awsome.and God Bless you richly for all you have put in to your articals thank you so very much, they are so very helpful to me.in my times of need. Bless u !!

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» left by Verna Mull from Greene, Iowa (3 years 281 days ago.)

A terrific study. After all, it was pride that caused Satan's fall and all of the things you mentioned are surely what God's Word meant when He spoke of lush in His Word. We are a selfish, self-centered people, and, like the Israelites, we need to be reminded of the importance of being steady in Him.

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» left by Teresa^(1,352) (3 years 281 days ago.)

Hi Verna, Thank you for your comments. It's all too easy to forget that God has boundaries for our protection, not because he is a mean Father.  "Being steady in Him" well put. I love it :-)

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» left by Lance Ponder⁽⁶²⁾ (3 years 271 days ago.)

Very well written

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» left by Anonymous (3 years 271 days ago.)

Thank you Lance! I pray it is an encouragement to others.

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» left by Ken McCreless from Event Horizon (2 years 283 days ago.)

You have a wonderful teaching style, T!

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» left by Anonymous (2 years 283 days ago.)

I am humbled and inspired by you today bro-bro :-)

Hugs to Janie!

 

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» left by Howard from USA (2 years 198 days ago.)

I believe when the spirit dies that this is the second death. When disobiedence occured i believe it caused our spirit to turn completely into the way of sin and from righteousness. Otherwise a nice article.

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» left by Teresa Ortiz (2 years 198 days ago.)

Hi Howard. Thanks for your comments. I do hope you expand on this thought. If I am reading correctly, we do agree.

After Adam, all were born into sin - spiritually dead. Jesus taught that man must be born again by the spirit of God.  Ephesians, Romans, and Galatians speaks to this as well as First John. 

We are saved by the grace of God through our faith in Christ.  Ephesians that Christ makes us alive - thus the term - born again.

Revelation talks about about the second death.  The second death is set aside for those who never received Christ as Savior, repenting of their sin. Those whose names are not found in the book of life will experience the second death. 

Again, thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts, please expand on them.

Blessings to you! Teresa

 

 

 

 

 

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» left by Anonymous (1 year 252 days ago.)

what's your view of a believer who cheats the welfare system, cheats on her taxes,drives around with suspended license, car insurance in some elses name not her's, and has a warant for her arrest, can speak in tonges and curse too,and has a warant for her arrest in another county. But calls herself a Prophetess. Help me understand that one.

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» left by Teresa^(1,352) (1 year 252 days ago.)

Hello Anon.

Wow - All I can say is that Jesus said we will be known by our fruit. If this is how this woman is living, she is either a phony, and her "gift" comes from elsewhere, or she is a child of God who is in a backslidden state and despite what she may think or proclaim, her continual state of sin has separated her from fellowship and a right relationship with God, and your best assistance to her would be to pray for her that her eyes would be open and that she would heed the voice of the Spirit who is speaking to her regarding her current life style (If she is a true believer).

As far as her proclaiming to be a prophetess, I can only share that from my opinion and biblical knowledge, that far too many claim this title without understanding its true meaning.  Many believe because they are simply restating or teaching God's word that they are a prophet or prophetess when this is not  Biblical. Without knowing this person, I cannot say whether she is or not, but what is evident is that her lifestyle is not matching up with what she is apparently preaching and therefore many are being hurt, confused, or hardened to the word of God. And for this I am saddened and I pray for this person to come to the knowledge of the truth and repent.  From what you share, it sounds like she is not trusting God with her life and situation and she is still hiding from something.

This is not to say that we as Christians are perfect and won't fall into sin and make bad choices out of greed or fear, but the key is what is our overall character and lifestyle.  Whatever her true state, don't let it keep you from walking with God and living a life that pleases him. You only have to answer for yourself, not for others. You live right.  Thank you for sharing, and I'm sorry if I couldn't give a pointed answer, only God truly knows her heart and position.  Many blessings to you! Teresa

 

 

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