1
John 2:15-16 (NIV) says
“Do
not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the
world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the
world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
Some
people think that worldliness is limited to external behavior – the
people we associate with, the places we go, the activities we enjoy.
Worldliness
is also internal because it begins in the heart and is characterized
by three attitudes:
1.
The
Lust Of The Flesh
- preoccupation with gratifying physical desires;
2.
The
Lust Of The Eyes
- craving and accumulating things and bowing to the god of
materialism;
3.
The Pride Of Life -
boasting
of what you have and/or do
– obsession with one’s status or importance.
When
the devil tempted Eve (Genesis
3:1-6),
he tempted her in these 3 areas. Also, when the devil tempted Jesus
in the desert, these were his three areas of attack (See
Matthew 4:1-11).
By
contrast, God values self-control, a spirit of generosity, and a
commitment to humble service. It is possible to give the impression
of avoiding worldly pleasure while still harboring worldly attitudes
in one’s heart.
It
is also possible, like Jesus, to love sinners and spend time with
them while maintaining a commitment to the values of God’s Kingdom.
ASK
YOURSELF THESE 6 QUESTIONS
1.
Am I of this world?
2.
What is my attitude toward the world?
3.
Am I being deceived by worldly attitudes that rob me of the joy and
reality of Christ in my daily living?
4.
Am I putting myself in a place of danger that could ruin my
testimony, my work, my home, or my relationships?
5.
Am I severely being defiled by the world?
6.
Am I creating divisions instead of encouraging spiritual unity?
WHAT
VALUES ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?
Do
your attitudes and actions reflect the world’s values or God’s
values? Take a little time and think about this. It could be
life changing!
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Of Post