Comment on Evening March 17 "Daily Light on Daily Path"

 

 

Dear friend,

 

It was the Apostle John who wrote us not to love the world. "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." (1Jo. 2:16) We are not to love things which are "not o the Father." In the first place, God did not create man (male and female) with such lusts and pride. They were the natural appetites went wrong due to the Fall.

 

When a human being is hungry or thirsty (natural appetites for refreshment), his flesh long for food and drink. Such legitimate longing is natural, and by themselve nothing evil. But when serpent suggested that such legitmate longing can be more important than obeying God, then they become "lusts". The eyes, like all other organs of perception, legitimately long to see and sense the things around us. But when such pleasure and deligh take first place so that obeying God can be put aside, then they become "lusts fo the eye". The pride of life is man's reputation takes first place above God's. Such lusts and pride are rampant in this world which is under the dominion of Satan who hates God. We who loves God must not love the world which is full of hatrd against God.

 

While our first parents, Adam and Eve, failed in their temptation, but allowed their proper longings to be come lusts and pride, our Lord Jesus did not in His. Read all about this temptation in Mat. 4:1-11 and Luk. 4:1-13 "When the tempter came to [Jesus], he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread (the lust of the flesh). But he answered, ... Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. The devil ... sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them (the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life). Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan." (Mat. 4:3, 4, 8, 10)

 

If we would overcome the devil's temptation, we must go to Jesus. "In that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." (Heb. 2:18)

 

If we look to Jesus, we will be able to endure temptation and be blessed. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation." (Jas. 1:12)

 

Who would you call to help the next time you are tempted?

 

Do read the Holy Scriptures for yourselves in the free Daily Light on Daily Path for this day at http://soshine.blogspot.com/2008/01/daily-light-on-daily-path-march.html#Mar17E.

 

Yours in Christ's Service,
lck