Gospel of John 2:15 Temptation by the world
The term “world” does not always refer to the universe as created by God. It often is used to describe the community of sinful humanity that possesses a spirit of rebellion against God (1 John 5:19). Because of its opposition to God, the world values those things that are contrary to God’s will:
the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2;16).
Its temptations to the believer are thus twofold: lust for the sensual and pride in mastery of one’s life.
The attraction of the world is amplified by Satan who is the head of its system. He is called the “ruler of this world” (John 12:13); 14:30; 16:11), and the whole world is said to be under his power (1 John 5:19, where wickedness can be translated to“wicked one”).
Some of the tragic effects that love of the world will produce in the believer’s life are:
a. A turning away from the Lord’s work and other believers (2 Tim. 4:10);
b. Alienation from God (James 4:4);
c. Corrupting sins ((2 Pet. 1:4; 1 John 2:15-17)
d. Deception by false teachers (1 John 4:1; 2 John 7).
The solution for the love of the world is to have greater love for the Father (1 John 2:15). The Christian who seeks daily to please God in everything and who strives for spiritual growth through prayer, study of God’s Word, and witnessing need not to fall prey to the temptations of the world.
Gospel Mark 14:38 Temptation by the Flesh – “Flesh” in the Bible often means something other than the substance of the human body. It is used constantly to refer to the carnal, sinful principle within man that is opposite to God (Rom. 8:7). The actions produced by the flesh are given in detail in Galatians 5:19-21. Among these are all types of sexual immorality, impurity, hatred, anger, false religions, envy, and drunkenness. A person whose life is characterised by these sins cannot be a true Christian and is under the wrath of God (Gal. 5:21; Eph. 2:3)
Though the flesh is not eradicated for Christians, we do not have to obey it (Rom. 7:15-25). We possess a new nature empowered by he Holy Spirit. Since the flesh and the Spirit are totally opposed to each other, the one whom believers allow to dominate will take charge in life and produce its own fruit. The solution to the urges of the flesh lies in acknowledging that the power of sin was nullified by Jesus’ death (Rom. 6:11) Gal. :16). The latter is a moment-by-moment dependence in faith on the Spirit’s power. We must choose by an act of will To benefit from the Spirit’s enablement.
1 Chronicles 21:1 – Temptation by Satan – The role of Satan against the Christian is well summed up by the meaning of the name Satan – “adversary”. He is also called the devil meaning “accuser”. He can appear as a hideous dragon (Rev 12:3,4,9) or as a beautifully deceptive “angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14). He stands hatefully opposed to all the work of God and resourcefully promotes defiance among the people (Mark 4:15; Job 2:4,5)
When Satan sinned, he was expelled from heaven (Luke 10:18), although apparently he still had some access to God (Job 1:6). A multitude of angels cast in their lot with him in his fall and subsequently became demons mentioned often in the Bible (Matt 12:24; Rev 1:7). Although Satan’s doom was secured by Jesus’ death on the cross (John 16:11), he will continue to hinder God’s program until he and his angels are cast into the lake of fire (Matt 25:41; Rev 20:10).
The terrifying work of Satan in the unbeliever is described in the Scripture as follows: he blinds their minds (2 Cor. 4:4); he takes the Word of God from their hearts (Luke 8:12); and he controls them (Acts 13:8). In regard to Christians, Satan may accuse them (Rev.12:10), devour their testimony to Christ (1 Peter 5:8), deceive them (2 Cor. 11:14), hinder their work (1 Thess. 2:18), tempt them to immorality (1 Cor. 7:5), and even be used by God to discipline Christians (1 Cor. 5:5; 2 Cor. 12:7).
The Christians response to Satan is to recognise his power and deception (2 Cor. 2:11; Eph. 6:11), to adhere steadfastly to the faith (1 Pet. 5:9), to resist him openly (James 4:7), and not to give him opportunities (Eph. 4:27).
In practice the best way to oppose him is to be a growing Christian. Also, in the light of his tremendous power to blind men to the gospel, Christians must always be aggressively and compassionately witnessing to the lost in order to snatch them from Satan‘s control (Acts 26:18). Believers can respond to temptation by Satan with confidence. We know that nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:28-29).
Sol.Gerardo