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excellenttrader:
Hey Gang,

I've recently been re-reading the lake of fire series and in there I came across Ray talking about Eve and her eating of the fruit.  Ray explains how Eve violated all three areas listed below in 1 John when she did eat the fruit.

"Love not the world, neither the things are are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is NOT IN HIM.  For [here's the reason why] ALL that is in the world, [1] the LUST OF THE FLESH, and [2] the LUST OF THE EYES, and [3] the PRIDE OF LIFE, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (I John 2:15-16).

This got me to thinking about how this scripture relates to me in my daily life, in practical terms.  I found that its a bit hard for me to see where the line is at times.  An easy example for me is if I see a pretty gal.  If I continue to linger and contemplate I can see where I'm now guilty of lust of the eyes and/or flesh.  But, a not so easy example for me is getting a new car.  My old truck has seen better days, so I'll soon need something else.  I've always wanted a convertible and in and of itself I don't think there's anything wrong with that.  But what's the test I can give myself to see if this is really pride of life or lust of the eyes?  Its not price I don't think.  Its not gas mileage:)  I'm also looking to buy a home soon and can see a similar challenge there as I have with the car.

Maybe it should be easier to decide if i'm in violation in a certain area, but in some cases it really seems to me that I could justify things more than one way. 

Looking forward to everyone's input,

Mike

rjsurfs:
Hi Mike,

To quote Ray:

"The more you SEE your sins and shortcomings, the more you will DESIRE to rid yourself of these things. We are crucified WITH CHRIST, yet we live, but the life we live is one of OVERCOMING THE SINS FOR WHICH WE AND CHRIST DIED FOR.

We have been HAND-PICKED by God to be in His kingdom. Now we must go through the training course that He has set before us.  Jesus said that He overcame THE WORLD. We too are to overcome THE WORLD. It's a HUGE task, that requires the power of SPIRIT to accomplish.

Don't become discouraged in well-doing. You will triumph in Christ if you have His spirit working in you. God will even give you the DESIRE to want to do right and be right.

This life is a life of SPIRITUAL WARFARE. There will be many battles before the final victory. So we must endure and we must overcome. For those whom God has chosen, this will be accomplished!"

Just relax and keep studying... it will all work out.  God will bring you to hate your sins and strengthen you to overcome.

Bobby

Matt:
Mike,
 Just the fact that you are asking these kinds of questions tells me that you are already on the right track! :)
 I am not qualified to give you anything more than my opinions, but continue to seek the answers in this manner, and God will show you the right ones!
Matt

hebrewroots98:
Hi Mike,
You are on the right track, Gods spirit is opening your eyes and you are learning well.   Keep up your obedient heart and you will look back in a year from now and you will be amazed at how much you have grown.  Good point with your correlation between the scripture in 1John and with Eve. :D

phazel:

I grew up being chastised for wanting almost anything.  For a long time I resented my parents for depriving me of things I wanted,  once I got out on my own I pretty much got over  that because I was able to earn money save and get things.

But, there was a transition of resentment, I often had buyers remorse over simple things that I bought myself because of the negative template that always surrounded getting something that I didn't have to have.

But, even though it happened late in life,  I was thankful for what happened to me as I see it was a transition to see how material things should be.

I don't believe there is any sin in wanting a material item that is bought out of the simple motivation of having it, wanting it and enjoying it just because of that.

Whether it be a rusty pinto or a lamborghini,  its all the same.

The second that material item causes any sense that you are better than someone else, having it is a sin, the item itself does not matter a hill of beans.

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