World Desires Vs. God’s Will for Individuals

For everything in the world- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of whatever he has and does- comes not from the Father, but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2: 16,17 NIV)

World’s image

Lord, forgive me for times I have reflected the image of this world. Words from a song…We’ve all got bruises is not far from the truth. Where there are people, people hurt people. Sometimes deliberate, others unknowing. Everything- everything in this world from cravings, lust, and boasting are behaviors of this world.

New Creation

We were dead in our transgressions and sins when we lived following the ways of this world. Reflective from the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. (Ephesians 2: 1,2 NIV) However, when we walk through our salvation experience, we ask Jesus to be our Savior- to forgive us our sins, we are a new creation in Christ. The old fades away. The new will come. Our desires change. We no longer want what the world wants. We want to draw closer to God’s light.

Battle plan

We put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. (Colossians 3:5 NIV) How do we put to death these battles that rage? Our eyes…our eyes are the lamp to our bodies. If our eyes are healthy, our entire body will be full of light. If not, we go to plan two. We take captive every contrary thought. A craving is first formulated in our mind. If we cinch this thought in our minds, then emotions will never come in with force. Emotions force these cravings through our hearts into existence. We have warning nudges from the Holy Spirit. We either turn away from sinful thoughts or sin takes hold of us. Once engulfed in sin, we must repent and seek forgiveness. Sin hurts people. Therefore, stop sinful thoughts before they move to the heart. The heart is the most deceptive of all.

God chooses the foolish things of this world to shame the wise. He chooses the weak things of this world to shame the strong. In doing this no man can boast. Jesus is our wisdom, our righteousness, and our redemption. If we boast, we are to boast in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1: 26-31 NIV)

God’s will = Life

It’s Forward Friday! We move forward living for the world or living for Jesus? The world and its desires will pass away, however, the man that does God’s will lives forever. The choice is ours. Choose life!

Be encouraged!

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