Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. (1 John 2:15-16)
We’ve all had this happen: We’re going about our day when suddenly we have a strong craving for a particular food or drink. It may be chocolate, coffee, fruit, chips, a smoothie, ice cream, or any special treat or meal. We often make decisions on what to have for lunch or dinner based on what we’re craving that day. Expectant mothers often share funny stories of cravings they may have. Food cravings are generally harmless if we don’t overindulge. However, there are other fleshly cravings that are far more destructive.
Another word for craving is desire. We feel cravings for things because we desire to have them. Cravings can also be desires “to do” or desires “to be.” Some cravings are natural, spontaneous, and innocent; others are cultivated, indulged, and wicked.
All wicked carvings or desires can be put into one or more of these three categories: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life. Let’s take a closer look at these desires and what God has to say about them:
The Lust of the Flesh – “Desire to Do”
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like… (Galatians 5:19-21a)
What an awful list of sinful deeds! Notice that the verses call these sins the “works” of the flesh. Most of the works on this list are sins we physically commit; while the rest of the works are sinful feelings that cause us to do wrong.
Pay close attention to the fact that envyings, hatred, and strife are included in this list. They may seem like “lesser sins” to us, but God placed them right alongside murders, adultery, and witchcraft. All these sins come from a desire to please our flesh rather than the Lord.
What God Says – Be Clean
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1)
Clean, in the spiritual sense, means to be “free from corrupt desire.” If we want to have godly desires in our lives, then we need to “cleanse ourselves.”
We know that “the blood of Jesus Christ…cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7b)” So, if we have accepted Christ as Savior, His blood has already cleansed us. Why do we need to cleanse ourselves again?
John chapter 13 relates the account of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. Peter didn’t want Jesus to do this because he felt that it was beneath Jesus to do such a thing. When Peter understood why Jesus was doing it, he wanted Christ to wash his whole body. What was Jesus’ response?
Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet… (John 13:10a)
While we see an excellent example of servant-leadership in this chapter, we also see another lesson: Jesus explained that a person that He has washed, or saved, does not need to be saved again, but that person does need to keep his feet, or his Christian walk, clean. We still must live godly lives.
So, how do we cleanse ourselves?
- By Obeying God.
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9)
- By Fearing God.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever… (Psalm 19:9a)
Fearing God, obeying His Word, and being set apart from the world will help us resist the desire to do fleshly, wicked works.
The Lust of the Eyes – “Desire to Have”
For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. (Psalm 10:3)
This wicked desire speaks of covetousness. Our eyes are the windows to our souls. Jesus warned that what we allow our eyes to see and dwell upon will affect the deepest parts of our being:
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:23)
If our eyes only ever focus on the things we don’t have, we will begin to covet them; then, we will stop at nothing to get them, even if it means committing sin.
Four biblical examples of this very outcome are:
- Eve – Genesis 3:6 (“pleasant to the eyes”)
- Lot – Genesis 13:10 (“lifted up his eyes”)
- Potiphar’s wife – Genesis 39:7 (“cast her eyes upon”)
- Achan – Joshua 7:21 (“When I saw…then I coveted…”)
What God Says – “Be Content”
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (1 Timothy 6:6-8)
To be content means to be “in a state of peaceful happiness.” A synonym for content is satisfied. “There are millions in this world who are craving the pleasure earthly things afford, but none can match the wondrous treasure that I find in Jesus Christ, my Lord!”
How can we be content?
- Through God’s Strength.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:11-13)
- Through God’s Presence.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)
We must fill our lives with the Lord if we don’t want to fall prey to the “desire to have.”
The Pride of Life – “Desire to Be”
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Psalm 10:4)
Pride means “a sense of deep satisfaction in one’s own accomplishments.” The Bible gives us three reasons why pride is wrong:
- Pride is an abomination to the Lord.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. (Proverbs 16:5)
- Pride causes controversy.
Only by pride cometh contention… (Proverbs 13:10a)
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife… (Proverbs 28:25a)
- Pride brings destruction.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)
There is nothing wrong with working hard to achieve great things in life, but if our desires to be popular, rich, important, famous, etc. don’t line up with God’s Word, we will only bring sorrow into our lives.
What God Says – “Be Humble”
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. (Proverbs 16:19)
A wise man once said, “True humility is not thinking low of yourself, but rather it is not thinking of yourself at all.”
Today’s “self-care” culture is incredibly toxic to Christians. Nowhere in the Bible do we find gold men and women (including our Savior) taking time for self-care. Imagine Jesus saying, “I’m sorry, I can’t feed or heal all these people today because I’m tired and hungry myself. After all, ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup!’”
The only time we see Jesus taking time for “self” was for spiritual reasons. Jesus spent time alone only to pray and commune with God in preparation for performing His Father’s will. Jesus never ignored the needs of others because of His own needs; He always put others before Himself. Jesus is truly our perfect example of humility:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)
If Jesus had been as concerned about “self” as this world tells us we ought to be, He never would have died on the cross for us.
The Bible tells us three benefits of humility:
- God will give us grace.
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6)
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5)
- God will exalt us.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: (1 Peter 5:6)
And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:12)
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:10)
- God will hear our prayers.
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: (Psalm 10:17)
In Conclusion…
Our desires define us. Every day, let us be quick to ask ourselves: Does this craving please my flesh, eyes, or pride; or does it please God’s desires for me to be clean, content, and humble?