A new member said in the welcome forum -
We all have "worldly lusts" that get in the way.
In my opinion, there are the big three found in 1 John 2:16 - "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world."
They are the big three that all sins in some form or another bring temptation.
They are the big three that the devil tempted both Eve (who failed) and Jesus (who never sinned).
Eve:
[1] Lust or desires of the flesh = she pondered and saw the fruit was "good for food" after she had been told not to eat it
[2] Lust or desire of the eyes = she saw the fruit was "pleasing to the eye" (God made it that way - Genesis 2:9 - but that was no excuse)
[3] Pride of life = she believed the devil's lie that she would be like God. She was already like God, made in his image. She wanted his power.
Jesus:
[1] Lust or desires of the flesh = Jeus did NOT turn the rocks to bread. He focused on the book of Deuteronomy and his calling and his obedience to God.
[2] Lust or desires of the eyes = Jesus already owned the nations of the world and their "splendor" was already this. They weren't the devil's to give. Again, Jesus clung to the book of Deuteronomy.
[3] Pride of life = Jesus did NOT jump off of the Temple and have angels save him to show off his majesty. Jesus was humble and meek. Again, he quoted Deuteronomy to make the devil flee.
Humanity: (just a few examples, but not all)
[1] Lust or desires of the flesh = overeating, drunkenness, porn, sexual sins, gratifying the flesh in ways opposed to God's plan
[2] Lust or desires of the eyes = the car, house, clothes, jewelry, vacations you cannot afford but spend money on anyway, wanting the things others have because you think the world owes you, coveting, jealousy, greed
[3] Pride of life = thinking of yourself more highly than you ought, treating others as if they are beneath you, boasting, bragging, arrogance, self-centeredness
What to do?
Others may chip in here.
I'll leave you with this verse. 2 Timothy 2:22 - you can remember it from all those 2's. "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
Step One: FLEE!! Get away from these things. Run from them like they are going to kill you.
Step Two: PURSUE something else! If you run FROM something, running away won't help for long unless you run TO something safe. Run TO God, to Jesus, to the safety of the Holy Spirit, to the Bible, people who can help, to FAITH, LOVE, and RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Step Three: RUN with OTHERS who "call on the Lord our of a pure heart". Find those who've already run your race and seek their counsel
We all have "worldly lusts" that get in the way.
In my opinion, there are the big three found in 1 John 2:16 - "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world."
They are the big three that all sins in some form or another bring temptation.
They are the big three that the devil tempted both Eve (who failed) and Jesus (who never sinned).
Eve:
[1] Lust or desires of the flesh = she pondered and saw the fruit was "good for food" after she had been told not to eat it
[2] Lust or desire of the eyes = she saw the fruit was "pleasing to the eye" (God made it that way - Genesis 2:9 - but that was no excuse)
[3] Pride of life = she believed the devil's lie that she would be like God. She was already like God, made in his image. She wanted his power.
Jesus:
[1] Lust or desires of the flesh = Jeus did NOT turn the rocks to bread. He focused on the book of Deuteronomy and his calling and his obedience to God.
[2] Lust or desires of the eyes = Jesus already owned the nations of the world and their "splendor" was already this. They weren't the devil's to give. Again, Jesus clung to the book of Deuteronomy.
[3] Pride of life = Jesus did NOT jump off of the Temple and have angels save him to show off his majesty. Jesus was humble and meek. Again, he quoted Deuteronomy to make the devil flee.
Humanity: (just a few examples, but not all)
[1] Lust or desires of the flesh = overeating, drunkenness, porn, sexual sins, gratifying the flesh in ways opposed to God's plan
[2] Lust or desires of the eyes = the car, house, clothes, jewelry, vacations you cannot afford but spend money on anyway, wanting the things others have because you think the world owes you, coveting, jealousy, greed
[3] Pride of life = thinking of yourself more highly than you ought, treating others as if they are beneath you, boasting, bragging, arrogance, self-centeredness
What to do?
Others may chip in here.
I'll leave you with this verse. 2 Timothy 2:22 - you can remember it from all those 2's. "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
Step One: FLEE!! Get away from these things. Run from them like they are going to kill you.
Step Two: PURSUE something else! If you run FROM something, running away won't help for long unless you run TO something safe. Run TO God, to Jesus, to the safety of the Holy Spirit, to the Bible, people who can help, to FAITH, LOVE, and RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Step Three: RUN with OTHERS who "call on the Lord our of a pure heart". Find those who've already run your race and seek their counsel
