Biblical Heart Check, Worldly Desires

 Worldly Desires

What are worldly desires?

Worldly desires: The Bible speaks of the world's allurements and how they can distract us from following God's will. 1 John 2:15-16 says

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—does not come from the Father but from the world."

You will go where your heart leads you. You do not have to do anything. Your heart will naturally seek out these things. See a pretty girl walking down the mall in front of you? See a handsome guy? Do you see an advertisement for something that promises to bring pleasure to your flesh? Whatever that may be. Even drugs and alcohol can fall into this category. They can make you feel really good. Temporarily. Porn? Gambling? The love of money even and what money can buy and bring into your life. Status? Position? Cars, houses, etc. All of these are worldly desires.

Why is this bad? Jesus puts it this way when talking about the Sower of the Seed and the Seed falling on shallow ground.

"The worries of the world, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the Word, making it unfruitful." Mark 4:19

What does that mean?

“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.

And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.” Luke 8:11-14

Sadly many fall into this category. Someone tells them about the gospel or invites them to church and they believe and receive the Word with joy. However, they never pick this up {Holding up the Bible} They never read this for themselves. Then they miss this or that Sunday. They spend most of their time in the world pursuing worldly desires. What do you think happens? That’s right. They fall away, or they never truly receive what God has for them. Worldly desires can and will produce the works of the flesh.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

These are natural for your flesh to crave. They are natural and not so uncommon as you think to those without God. Look around. Homosexuality, Transgenderism, and even a move currently to legalize and normalize pedophilia. Not making this up folks. They want ages removed so adults can have sex with kids and it will be all-natural and good.

We need to pray to God. Pray to your Father.

“Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” Titus 2:12

Why?

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

If it is from the world, then who is it actually from?

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

This is why it appears sometimes that those of whom you know, are intelligent, loving people, seemingly cannot even hear what you are trying to tell them whenever you say the name Jesus or talk about the Bible or God. They truly cannot hear you.

“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." John 8:47

It is this simple.

“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:7-8

So how? How do we deal with worldly desires? The Word does not say, well try. No, the Word does not say, only sin on Tuesdays. No, it does not tell us to do our best. It says this.

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.” Colossians 3:5-8

“Put to death.” Kill them. Destroy them. “Put them away.” Why? Because Jesus is coming back. If you do the same things the lost are doing, you will become lost with them. You will perish if you commit the same sins as those perishing because of their sin.

Without God it is impossible. You will simply live the same as all others. In sin and die. However, you HAVE God.

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,” Titus 2:11-12

Train your mind to think about Godly things.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Remember child of God, you cannot serve two masters. Although many many oh, so many have tried, you cannot walk in the spirit and the flesh simultaneously. So Walk in the spirit.

“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:16-17

Oh, I still remember. No, I did not leave it out. All that we have talked about, The love of money and stuff, Idolatry, and worldly desires, all lead us up to next time. Pride. The original sin. Join us next time, won’t you?

Have you been adopted? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and the peace of our Lord Yeshua, be with you all. May God bless and be with you, always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Yeshua is Lord!