Tripartite Nature of the World!
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” 1 John 2:15
Ever since Lucifer and his angels were sent out of God’s kingdom, he started hunting every creature naturally open-minded (humans). There is an ongoing contention between God and the devil over the generation of humankind. The devil has polluted the heart of humanity with several ill-mannered thoughts leading to atrocities, blasphemy, apostasy, etc.; having recruited many into his evil ways, he does instigate them to carry out their evil assignment every day. The world system can, therefore, be classed under three major divisions;
i. The lust of the flesh
ii. The lust of the eyes
iii. The pride of life
1 John 2:16-17 says, for all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
Every vice happening around you find their source from any of these three categories. We must, therefore, consider each of these categories with a much deeper understanding through the help of God.
The Lust of the Flesh!
Today’s lesson will be kick-started with us having a deep understanding of “lust of the flesh,” that is, the passion, lust, appetite, crave, desire, and pursuit. All these come from our old fallen nature. Satan tried using this temptation on Christ Jesus in Luke 4:3; he tried convincing Jesus to turn stone into bread. Lust of the flesh has its seat mostly amidst the youth. Every child of God has two natures dwelling right inside us; “the spirit and the flesh,” each nature has its attributes. Firstly, there is the “law of sin and death,” which got its source from the fallen nature of humans. Secondly, there is the “law of the spirit of life in Christ,” which belongs to the regenerated/born again life.
As a Christian, be strong, courageous, and rigid at following the leading and rule of the spiritual nature that we have gotten through Christ, rather than living according to the rule of human nature. The worldly desires and works of the flesh negate the will of God. Therefore, if you live to please the flesh, you are working against God. Henceforth, let your daily living in this world be by the spirit and not the flesh. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Prayers
1. Father Lord, open my eyes to recognize and understand every antic of the devil.
2. I receive the grace to be spiritual in all I do that I might please God.
MARTIN