Love not the World: Part 4

1 John 2: 17 “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (ESV). It is important to know that this present world and all its sinful pleasure is only transient [short lived], therefore, the child of God needs to keep his focus on what is eternal and of everlasting worth. Yesterday, I compared three examples of people from the Scriptures: Adam and Eve, Achan, and king David who all failed when confronted with the devil’s threefold tactic. (See Gen. 3:6; Josh. 7:21; 2 Sam. 11: 2-4). Of course, this can be seen when compared with 1 John 2: 16. It is interesting to note king David’s success over “the lion, the bear, and the giant, Goliath.” (See 1 Sam. 17: 34-37, 46-50). In Biblical typology: The lion, (depending on the context) is a type of the devil; the bear is a type of the world; and the giant, Goliath is a type of the flesh. Here we see the threefold enemy of the Christian. The world (see Jam. 4: 4; 1 John 2: 15-16), the flesh (see Rom. 7: 18; Gal. 5: 16), and the devil (see Ezek. 28: 14; John 12: 31; 1 John 5: 18-19; Rev. 12: 9). One more outline can be related to John’s words in 1 John 2: 16:

 

David’s success seen in type. (See 1 Sam. 17: 37; 1 John 2: 16).

    (1.) THE LUST OF THE FLESH—

The hand of Goliath. => The Flesh!

      (2.)THE LUST OF THE EYES—

  The paw of the Bear. => The World!

(3.) THE PRIDE OF LIFE—

 The paw of the Lion. => The Devil!

Lord God, guard my heart from the enemy around me (the world); from the enemy within me (the flesh); and from the enemy that rages against me (the devil); so that I may live a pure, holy, and separate life well pleasing to Thee. Amen.

 

Mon. June 23, 2008; Entry: 5. Taken from "Living Between the Transient and the Real."