Three distractions of Sin

 Read 1 John 2.

John is often referred to as "the Apostle of love".  He frequently wrote about love of God and for each other in his Gospel, his three letters, and there are at least four references in Revelation.  In this chapter, John warned not to love "the world or the things in the world".

The reason for this admonition is that this world is temporal, while lovingly obeying God lasts forever.  The choice is simple.  Should a person spend their lives on things that they will surely lose or invest their lives in things that can never be taken away?

Satan has no new schemes.  "...so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs." (2 Corinthians 2:11)  His goal is to distract people to make wrong choices and, thereby, sin against God.

1. The desire to Have.  The lust of the flesh is the urging for wrong indulgences.  It is an "uncontrolled appetite".  That lack of discipline could be anything from gluttony of food to wanting more material gain.  It is the wrong desire for possessions.

2. The desire to See.  This is the lust of curiosity that leads one to undisciplined behaviors in what entertains and fascinates them.  This is at the root of pornography and immorality in media.  It is the wrong desire for pleasure.

3. The desire to Be.  This is the boastful pride of life; the exaltation of self.  It is self-promotion and self-advertisement.  It is the wrong desire for personal power.

None of these is new.  Satan used the same three temptations with Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6): the tree was "good for food"; "it was a delight to the eyes"; "to be desired to make one wise".  Eve sinned.

Then, Satan tried the same three temptations with Jesus (Matthew 4:3-8): "command these stones to become loaves of bread"; "throw yourself down"; "all the kingdoms of the world and their glory...these will I give you."  Jesus prevailed.  He met each temptation with a specific Scripture that rebutted Satan with the truth of God's word.

Memorizing verses that can help and encourage us to do what is right is a key spiritual growth.