Earlier, I mentioned three destructive forces found in 1 John 2:16. They are the lust of the flesh (what we crave), the lust of the eyes (what is pleasing to the eye) and the pride of life (arrogance). Today’s focus is on the last two:
2. The lust of the eyes can be defined as coveting, or desiring something such as a trophy wife, expensive home, vehicle or other things. When we fall prey to lust our focus shifts from Christ-centered to self-centered. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). This is why we must compare our “feelings” to the Word. Feelings shouldn’t lead but follow. Although feelings can be good and God-ordained (I thank God for the love that I feel toward God and my family), when it comes to defeating the “lust of the eyes”, we shouldn’t interpret the Scriptures in the light of our feelings, but rather, interpret our feelings through the light of Scripture. You can never go wrong by allowing God’s word to guide you.
3. The pride of life can be defined as conceit, or a sense of superiority in who we are or what we posses. Self-centeredness is closely related to pride. Proverbs 6:16-17 says that “the Lord hates a proud look.” When we believe that our needs are more important than the needs of others, and we think more highly of ourselves than we should, pride is a problem and it will severely hinder our spiritual progress. “Pride of life” causes us to place more emphasis on things than on people. It’s been said, “Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everybody sick except the person who has it.” Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but rather not thinking of yourself at all.
A popular saying bears consideration—God intended that we love people and use things; instead we tend to love things and use people. Pride causes us to take pleasure in the things of the world rather than the things of God. Husbands and wives don’t marry filled with love and passion one day only to lose it the next. Marriage slowly deteriorates through more attention to self than spouse. Most who are divorced will say that their marriage was initially good, but with time, one or both stopped loving; largely because of selfishness. On the lighter side, it may seem simple and understated, however a happy wife can mean a happy life—a happy wife is the result of a husband who is committed to the health of the relationship and who puts her needs above his. (Unfortunately, I have not mastered this yet.)
Selfishness, simply stated, reflects a silent statement that there is no need for God. It can also lead a wife to feel that she is a liability rather than an asset. A selfish person relies on self-dependence rather than dependence on God, and is proud of it—get rid of it! Self-centeredness leaves little room for other’s needs; it stifles spiritual growth and a teachable spirit. Without humility and a teachable spirit, you’ll never experience a genuine spiritual renewal. When our needs are more important than the needs of others, especially those of a spouse, it can severely damage a relationship. Although difficult at times, it’s much easier to walk in humility than it is to stumble through life selfishly. I encourage you to build your life on godly rather than worldly wisdom. If your eyes are fixed on what the world has to offer rather than on what God has to give, an entire lifetime can be wasted.
Let me leave you with this question: If the enemy goes to and fro like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), and the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (II Chronicles 16:9), who finds you—the adversary, or God? Are you loyal to God by obeying His word, or do you often stray from the Shepherd and become easy prey?
No matter what you’ve done or have been through, you have the ability and availability to accept, or return, to Jesus and become as new. A true measure of a man is not who he was, but who he will become. It’s your choice.