The Prophetic Word - Day 36: Loving the things in this world will lead us astray.

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

[If you haven’t read the scriptures given yesterday (Day 35), please go back and do so now before going further.]

The time came in the apostle Paul’s life when even though he had been warned repeatedly of what awaited him in Jerusalem, he knew he must go there in obedience to the word of the Lord. Now, he was only able to do this because he had already determined to keep his eyes on the Lord and what the Lord desired.

“And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭20‬:‭22‬-‭24‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The apostle Paul basically asserts that his life is meaningless unless he is obedient to the Lord. Therefore, he could not be moved away from the Lord by anything.

Now, whereas Paul could have allowed things (circumstances, emotions, desires, etc.) to lead him away from the path of the Lord, he chose to stay the course and did not enter into the temptation to go astray.

Sadly, many people fail the test that comes through being tempted by what the world has to offer.

You see, the secret to victory over temptation is that we not allow it to entice us to do what is against the word of God.

Being attracted to further consider (be enticed) by what the world has to offer, generally ends in massive failure and departure from God’s way of being and doing. [I wonder how many affairs begin with, “I just enjoy talking to them”?]

“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Enticement to do what is wrong (attraction toward doing what is wrong) comes when our affection has been set on the things this world has to offer rather than the things of God.

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our opening scripture we see that Paul was able to endure any temptation to move away from the Lord because his sights were already set on eternity rather than the temporary things this world has to offer.

Remember, we can’t wait until we’re facing temptation to avoid being enticed away from the Lord. We must continually set our hearts and minds on the Lord and His way of being and doing (righteousness). In so doing, when the enemy puts a “lure” in front of us, we will recognize the danger in it rather than seeing it as something we desire.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

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