The Things That Matter

Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; for all these worldly things, these evil desires—the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to you, and the pride that comes from wealth and importance—these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself. And this world is fading away, and these evil, forbidden things will go with it, but whoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever. -1 John 2:15-17 (TLB)

Wow. Tough words. Most of us that read such things are probably thinking to ourselves that we still have affection for those worldly things and may even question whether we truly love God or not. I submit to the reader that the fact they are concerned about the matter probably shows that they do love God and want fellowship with Him. Certainly, there are times when I battle with things of the flesh--such as lust, pride and the desire for material gain. The point is, however, that it is not all-consuming and much more easily recognized than it used to be. I tend to dislike it immensely, because I sense God's displeasure with such attitudes and actions--and I wish to please Him more than I ever did before.

As I delve more deeply into God's Word and fellowship with other Christians (including regular worship and Bible study) it becomes apparent that, the more I fill myself with things of God, the less room there is for the obsessions of this world. To simply try denying myself the "pleasures of the flesh" without replacing them with pleasures of more eternal significance (in pursuit of God) does nothing more than leave a vacuum in which satan has a place to work.

For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other. For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command: “Love others as you love yourself.” But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always critical and catty, watch out! Beware of ruining each other. I advise you to obey only the Holy Spirit’s instructions. He will tell you where to go and what to do, and then you won’t always be doing the wrong things your evil nature wants you to. - Galatians 5:13-16 (TLB)

So there's the simple solution to the matter: let the Holy Spirit work in you and through you and you will not be the slave to sin that you once were. You will discover [as I have] that your desires will change and you will wish to pursue the things of God more than the desires of this earthly existence. Does this make you "sin-free?" Absolutely not, but you will find yourself sinning less and doing the will of God more as you move from being a 'carnal Christian' to a Spirit-filled one.