I JOHN 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.

Paul points out some of the things we need to beware of: The lust of the flesh is the first. This is perhaps the hardest to overcome. We must eat, but it is so easy to overeat; we must dress but it is so easy to give way to vanity. We must have houses and furniture and cars but it is so easy to overspend. Everyday a Christian somewhere falls prey to these worldly pulls and gives up in despair. The second thing John says we must be careful of is lust of the eyes. Just as Eve saw the fruit was good to look at, for food and would make her wise, we can still fall into this trap today. A man may be tempted by a woman other than his wife because she looks better and, likewise, a wife can be attracted to another man. Just remember, the "grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" until you get there! The third thing in John's list is the pride of life. Proverbs 16:18 tells us that, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us of 7 things that are an abomination to God and a proud look is the very first one on the list! It is not wrong to be proud of your country or to be proud of your grandchildren, but when you let pride overcome you to the point it rules your personality, then it becomes a sin. This is not of God but of the world.

So...how do we overcome these worldly pulls?

GALATIONS 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

Seems simple when we read this verse. If we are saved by the cross of Christ, the world is crucified to us - it is no longer a snare. We are dead to the world and it is dead to us. There are some who would have you believe that it is that simple, but I'm afraid they forgot to read I CORINTHIANS 15:31 "I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." The world can be dead to us but we must crucify it daily!

I JOHN 5:5 "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

JOHN 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

So, who is he who overcomes the world? He who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. And if we believe this, we will live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. (Galations 2:20) Only by believeing that Jesus is the Son of God and that He has already overcome the world for us and seeking Him daily can we ever hope to overcome a pull so strong as the world.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Watch out for the things the world offers you that are not of The Father. The only way you can resist these temptations is by maintaining a close daily walk with God
"because greater is he that is in you,
than he that is in the world."
(I JOHN 4:4)

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT WEEK,

LOVE, MEME

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