The Bible teaches that our flesh man can be easily drawn into lust, greed, and the pride of life, while our spiritual man understands that these are not from the Father, but are part of this world system. Yielding to and getting pulled into lust, greed, or pride will cripple us spiritually, and are not a panaceas for growing in God’s grace, wisdom, or peace.
Nevertheless, many wonderful, virtuous benefits can be experienced while we are living in our fleshly bodies on this earth, such as enjoying a good meal, loving human touch and expression, and serving one another-to name but a few. However, our fragile flesh can be easily influenced and manipulated into error through lust. Consequently, this lust produces and insatiable craving or longing for things we falsely believe will meet our needs, complete our emptiness, or make us feel alive. Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, the flesh is weak”. When we become preoccupied with gratifying our senses or appetites (lust), we will gradually get pulled away from spiritual interests. Consequently, this produces a craving or longing for things our world system teaches will meet our needs, complete our emptiness, or fulfill the lack of purpose and meaning in our lives.
“Pride of life” is another offering from the world system which tells us we must depend on our own resources and the stability of earthly things-as opposed to relying on God to care and meet our needs. Sadly, many souls spend the majority of their time on earth, operating in pride, vainly driven to grasp some sort of satisfaction and stability.
In contrast to the negative effects of getting pulled into and caught up in this world system, the Lord asks His children to humbly turn to Jesus, and allow Him to reveal the power of His love! This spiritual power has the ability to overcome lust, greed, and the pride of life. Jesus desires to reveal love to each of us and teach us how to love and be loved. When we desire to walk humbly in His kingdom, and do the will of God, He will carry out His purposes through our lives, and we will learn to abide with Him. As we learn to follow this path, we will experience the power to walk in the Spirit, discovering God’s good plans, and purposes which will bring us lasting fulfillment.
“For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]-these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings [the passionate desires, the lust] of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides [remains] forever” (1 John 2:16-17).
