Many wonderful benefits can be experienced while we are living in our fleshly bodies on this earth, such as; the beauty of nature, enjoying a good meal, loving human touch and expression, and serving one another,to name but a few. However, there are times flesh and Spirit seem to war against each other. Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, the flesh is weak”. When we are driven, enslaved to, or preoccupied with gratifying our senses or appetites (pushing down not to feel), we will gradually find ourselves numbed out, shallow, and feeling empty. Consequently, trying to fill our emptiness with the things our world system proclaims will meet our needs will ultimately lead us into a dark mess. The “Pride of life” is another offering from the world system, which tells us we must totally depend on our own resources and the stability of earthly things, and if we do it right we will succeed and feel alive;as opposed to depending, and relying on God to meet our every need. Sadly, many souls spend the majority of their time on earth, vainly driven to grasp some sort of satisfaction and stability. In contrast to the negative effects of getting caught up in this world system, God calls His children to turn to Jesus, so He can fill our needy hearts. Jesus desires to reveal His great love to each of us; teaching us how to love and be loved. As we learn to follow this path of love, we will experience the overcoming power of His mercy and grace to walk in the Spirit. Then step by step true freedom will enable us to walk forward and discover the good plans and purposes God has for us. It is God’s will to bestow true contentment and satisfaction on His children.

“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).