PROVISION FOR PROTECTION There are two categories of "appearance." One provokes licentiousness, or the total lack of moral restraint. Such appearances move one to indulge in iniquity, as occurred when David saw Uriah's wife washing herself (2 Sam 11:2). There are appearances, whether immodest clothing, pictures, or various forms of entertainment, that arouse such desires. The patriarch Job knew of this type of lust, and dealt with it in his heart. Here is what he said in a sort of self-exhortation. "I have made a covenant WITH MY EYES; Why then should I look upon a young woman?" (Job 31:1). This is the sin to which Jesus referred when he said, "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman TO LUST for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt 5:28). -- Tomorrow:
"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things . . . But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." (1 John 2:20,27-29)
Devotion 4 of
THE MORE OBVIOUS
THE LESS OBVIOUS
"The lust of the eyes." This is a particularly seductive desire. It places an emphasis upon appearance, concentrating on "the things which are seen" (2 Cor 4:18). This appetite causes one to "glory in appearance, and not in heart" (2 Cor 5:12).
There is another category of appearance, however, that is more subtle, and is especially leveled at those identified with Christ. It is religious appearance, a sort of external show that is attractive, yet lures the heart away from Christ. That is the sin to which the Paul referred when he wrote of those who "those who take pride in appearance, and not in heart" (2 Cor 5:12, NASB). The Galatians were also warned of this tool of Satan. "As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Gal 6:12-14).
This latter list is far more seductive than the former one. It is the desire upon which a staggering percentage of contemporary religion is built. While it is painful to acknowledge the existence of such a condition, nearly all modern religion has little more to offer than appearance. From the pomp and splendor of the Romish ceremonies, to the impressions of a contemporary praise gathering, there are religious "lusts of the eye" that offer nothing whatsoever to the heart. They are actually worldly presentations, orchestrated to impress the outward man, but having nothing to offer to the inward man.
As a matter of observation, those who claim the "eye-gate" is the primary way of real learning, and that "seeing a sermon is better than hearing one," have unwittingly entered into the arena of "the lust of the eye." If that false postulate of "seeing a sermon" were true, which it emphatically is NOT, then the manifestation of God in the flesh should have sufficed to provoke true faith. However, it did not. Jesus had to leave the realm of sight before the world could believe.
EVE AND JESUS
The lust of the eye – this is the lust that entered Eve's heart when she "SAW that the tree . . . was PLEASANT TO THE EYE" (Gen 3:6). It is also the lust with which Satan tempted Jesus when he "showed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If Thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be Thine" (Luke 4:5-7). Again, Eve confirms to us what happens when we entertain such lusts. Jesus confirms the victory related with refusing their entrance into the heart.
THE PRIDE OF LIFE
"The pride of life." This is a sin that strongly urges the individual to boast in himself, rather than in the Lord. The word "pride" means "vain-glory of life." It includes the idea of gaining prestige and distinction that really does not belong to us. In this sin there is a powerful desire to be better than the other person, and to draw undue attention to self.
EVE AND JESUS. The is the lust to which Eve yielded when she viewed the forbidden tree "a tree to be DESIRED TO MAKE ONE WISE" (Gen 3:6). The desire for such wisdom was nothing less than a display of pride, something strictly forbidden by God. This was also the sin Satan tempted Jesus to commit when he said, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone'" (Matt 4:6). Again, Eve confirms to us what happens when we entertain such lusts. Jesus confirms the victory related with refusing their entrance into the heart.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me strength to quickly detect Satan's attempt to draw my attention to what can be seen, or to think of myself more highly that I ought to think.