1 John 2.15-17 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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The word lust basically means to covet or desire something that you do not have, or something that belongs to someone else. It is the inordinate desire for what is forbidden in Scripture. The apostle John tells us here that lust makes the world go round. Lust is the driving force of this world system. It is the driving force behind all and every marketing campaign. It is the very opposite of love, for love does not covet.
Lust is that evil desire that lies in the heart of man. Jesus said, But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Do I really need to expound on the big business of “eye candy” that prevails in our culture? Women are paid millions of dollars to be degraded to feed the animalistic lusts of men, day in and day out. Of course, we call that adult entertainment. God calls it sin.
Lust in any form can never be satisfied. It always needs more: more money or more pleasure. But lust is never fulfilled and only leaves one emptier inside. Lust destroys marriages, nations, churches, and friendships because it is fueled by the devil who uses the bait of lust to steal, kill and destroy. Lust is selfish to the core. Lust has no regard for the consequences that its decisions have on others, as long as I am happy. This unbridled craving for things causes ones life to be unfruitful. “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Peter writes to the follower of Jesus, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. ” He tells us that lust is an enemy, not a friend. “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.”
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” To fulfill this verse means that you and I must resist many flesh-driven, God-forbidden, self-craving desires today. God’s grace teaches us that by denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should “live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Resist the lie of lust, for the all-fulfilling, legitimate pleasures and truths of God’s Word.
