Christian: “Yes Absalom.”
Absalom: “I have a real problem with your teaching that says people must keep themselves from participating in the things of the world. These things are unavoidable in most circumstances and if we don’t involve ourselves in some of them, we won’t be able to survive in this world. That’s a problem for me so this is why I just can’t accept your Way Chris. Besides it’s complicated and nobody’s perfect. Nobody can live such a holy life so why try! It all seems so uptight. I mean, I pray and go to church and tithe and all that good stuff!”
Christian: “I understand what you’re saying Absalom and I disagree with you. There is a way that seems right to people but that way always leads to destruction! And it’s not about ‘my’ Way it’s about Christ. He is the true WAY. He is the way, the truth and the life.”
Absalom: “See, there you go again. Why do you always do that? You think you know everything man. I hate it when you do that. YOU DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING CHRIS!!! You’re a real scripture quoting know-it-all. Sheesh! Why do I even talk to you?”
Christian: “There are three things that Satan uses in a most subtle way to draw people away from being obedient to the Word of God.”
Absalom: “Only three things? (rolling eyes) Here we go again!”
Christian: “Well, yes, these three sum up ALL sin and everything contrary to God’s Word. Look at what the scripture says:
“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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:15-17 KJV)
The word ‘world’ is translated from the Greek word KOSMOS (Strong’s G2889). It refers to the natural order of the universe as well as to everything earthly including people in general. It refers also to riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which are hollow, frail and fleeting, stir up desire, seduce people away from God, and are obstacles to mankind’s advancement in the way of Christ.”
Absalom: “Hmmm! What does this mean anyway: 'The lust of flesh'?”
Christian: “Well, the Greek word used here for ‘flesh’ is SARX (Strong’s G4561). It refers to the body. This flesh is mentioned in Matthew 26:41.
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
The same word is also translated ‘carnally’ and ‘carnal’ in Romans 8:6-7 and refers specifically to the nature of man.
“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
The Greek word translated ‘lust’ is EPITHYMIA (Strong’s G1939). It refers to desire, craving, longing, and specifically to the desire for something that is forbidden. This means that when a person is born-again, the fleshly or carnal nature is forbidden. The cravings for the pleasures that satisfy the carnal nature are these lusts and they are forbidden as well.”
Absalom: “I understand this meaning of lust but how would that apply to the ‘lust of the eyes’?”
Christian: “The Greek word translated ‘eyes’ is OPHTHALMUS (Strong’s G3788). It refers to the physical eyes that see as well as to the ‘eyes of the mind’ or the faculty of knowing and understanding. Here is a great example: the men in Luke 24:31 were not physically blind yet the scripture uses this word for both eyes and sight.
“And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.”
They simply did not know that they were talking to Jesus who had been raised from the dead. Since lust refers to craving and eyes refers to both physical and mental sight, we can conclude that this ‘lust of the eyes’ has direct relation to craving to look at things that are forbidden as well as craving forbidden knowledge and understanding.”
Absalom: “Wow! Now I really want to hear your explanation about this ‘pride of life’!”
Christian: “Ha ha ha ha! Not ‘my’ explanation Absalom but the Holy Spirit speaking through me. I don’t know these things of myself.”
Absalom: “Yes true, have to give credit where it is due. Speak Holy Spirit!”
Christian: “The word 'life' refers to the entire course of life as we know it. What is interesting is that this word ‘pride’ is translated from the Greek word ALAZONEIA (Strong’s G212). People today call it ‘swagger’. It refers to boasting in a way that is similar to how people act nowadays! The same word is translated ‘boastings’ in James 4:16.
“But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.”
Absalom: “C’mon man, what do you mean, 'swagger' is bad?”
Christian: “Well, Thayer’s Lexicon defines ALAZONEIA this way:
“…empty, braggart talk, empty display in act, swagger; an insolent and empty assurance, which trusts in its own power and resources and shamefully despises and violates divine laws and human rights; an impious and empty presumption which trusts in the stability of earthy things…”
Absalom: “I’m speechless! So, many things we accept as normal today conflict in many ways with scripture. Wow!”
Christian: “Yes indeed Absalom my friend! This is why as a born-again Christian it is most important to rely on the Holy Spirit when you search the scriptures and keep yourself unspotted from the world.”
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